PulteGroup's Built to Honor Program Will Build and Donate
Mortgage-Free Home in Southern California
Mortgage-Free Home in Southern California
PERRIS, CA – March 31, 2016 – An injured veteran broke ground today on a new mortgage-free Pulte home as an enthusiastic crowd cheered and shed tears of joy. U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Oskar R. Zepeda was joined by his wife Lisa and two children at the groundbreaking ceremony, which marked the first time they visited the site of their future home.
“This is just like a breath of fresh air. Finally that’s one thing we won’t have to worry about,” Zepeda said. “We can focus on our family, on us, my rehab and not have to work about a mortgage payment.”
The new home in Pulte’s Avelina community in Perris, CA, will be built courtesy of PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Program in collaboration with dozens of local trade contractors and Operation FINALLY HOME. The Zepeda family was escorted to the site by the local Patriot Guard Riders and also greeted by elected officials from the City of Perris and Riverside County.
“This is just like a breath of fresh air. Finally that’s one thing we won’t have to worry about,” Zepeda said. “We can focus on our family, on us, my rehab and not have to work about a mortgage payment.”
The new home in Pulte’s Avelina community in Perris, CA, will be built courtesy of PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Program in collaboration with dozens of local trade contractors and Operation FINALLY HOME. The Zepeda family was escorted to the site by the local Patriot Guard Riders and also greeted by elected officials from the City of Perris and Riverside County.
The home will be customized and ready for the Zepeda family to move in this fall, said Chris Edgar, president for PulteGroup’s Southern California Division. The family was surprised in November at a UCLA football game with the announcement that they were selected to be the recipients of the new mortgage-free Pulte home.
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“This effort would not be possible without the commitment of Pulte’s local suppliers and trade partners who so generously are donating their time and materials for this new mortgage-free home,” Edgar said. “We are grateful for our nation’s service men and women who have given so much to protect and defend our freedoms. The best way we can make an impact is by doing what we do best: building homes.”
“This effort would not be possible without the commitment of Pulte’s local suppliers and trade partners who so generously are donating their time and materials for this new mortgage-free home,” Edgar said. “We are grateful for our nation’s service men and women who have given so much to protect and defend our freedoms. The best way we can make an impact is by doing what we do best: building homes.”Zepeda applied to be considered for a new mortgage-free home with Operation FINALLY HOME, an organization that helps America’s military heroes and their families transition to the home front by addressing one of their most pressing needs – a home to call their own.
“It’s exciting. We feel very blessed and we know this is such a great gift,” said Zepeda's wife Lisa, who is expecting their third child – a boy – later this year.
Zepeda, a member of the elite U.S. Army Rangers, was severely injured when an enemy combatant detonated a grenade during his ninth deployment in 2011. As he lay wounded, Zepeda managed to continue calling out instructions to his fellow Rangers, allowing his comrades to avoid further injury. As a result of the blast, Zepeda suffered multiple injuries and has received more than 30 surgeries. He continues his recovery with the assistance of medical care from UCLA Medical Center and the Operation Mend program.
A highly-decorated veteran who currently resides in Sylmar, Calif. with his wife and two children, Zepeda has been honored with numerous awards, including a Purple Heart. The life-long UCLA fan recently joined the bicycle group “Ride to Recovery” as a new therapy and hopes to help other biking disabled service members.
“It’s exciting. We feel very blessed and we know this is such a great gift,” said Zepeda's wife Lisa, who is expecting their third child – a boy – later this year.
Zepeda, a member of the elite U.S. Army Rangers, was severely injured when an enemy combatant detonated a grenade during his ninth deployment in 2011. As he lay wounded, Zepeda managed to continue calling out instructions to his fellow Rangers, allowing his comrades to avoid further injury. As a result of the blast, Zepeda suffered multiple injuries and has received more than 30 surgeries. He continues his recovery with the assistance of medical care from UCLA Medical Center and the Operation Mend program.
A highly-decorated veteran who currently resides in Sylmar, Calif. with his wife and two children, Zepeda has been honored with numerous awards, including a Purple Heart. The life-long UCLA fan recently joined the bicycle group “Ride to Recovery” as a new therapy and hopes to help other biking disabled service members.
