U.S. Army Sergeant Aisha Hardemon becomes the 100th recipient of a new home through Built to Honor program
Providing a sanctuary for those who served our country, PulteGroup has been delivering the keys to new mortgage-free homes to deserving veterans for over a decade through it’s Built to Honor program. In a moment that felt like Christmas morning meeting the Fourth of July, on Friday, September 5th, the company delivered its 100th mortgage-free home to U.S. Army Sergeant Aisha Hardemon in McDonough, Ga. The event marked yet another life-changing chapter for a special veteran and their family.
Since 2013, PulteGroup, one of America’s largest homebuilders, has been awarding mortgage-free homes to veterans injured during their term of service. Through Built to Honor, PulteGroup and its partners seek to ease one of the most significant burdens wounded veterans may face as they return to civilian life: ensuring they have a place of their own to call home.
“Reentry to civilian life can be difficult, and we want to make it just a bit easier for our nation’s veterans,” said Ryan Marshall, President and CEO of PulteGroup. “To be able to hand over the keys to someone as deserving as Sergeant Hardemon is a true honor. We hope this Built to Honor home is just the beginning for what’s next for the Hardemon family, just as it has been for the 99 other veterans who’ve received homes through the program.
“Reaching this milestone represents the steadfast commitment of our employees to serve our nation’s veterans,” added Marshall, “along with the generous support of our trade partners and suppliers, who routinely donate their time and materials to our Built to Honor homes.”
The journey began this past March when Sgt. Hardemon was surprised with the news that she would be receiving a mortgage-free home. Last April, Sergeant Hardemon and her family took part in the groundbreaking of her dream home, and walked through the framed house during the Notes of Love event in June. Tears were shed as the family read the thoughtful messages left behind from Pulte employees, trade partners and community members welcoming the Hardemon family to the neighborhood and thanking Sergeant Hardemon for her service. On Friday, Sept. 5th, after months of anticipation that rivals any holiday countdown, the Hardemon family stepped across the threshold of their forever home for the very first time.
“It has been an honor building the 100th Built to Honor home for Sergeant Hardemon and her family,” said Chad Plunkett, President of PulteGroup’s Georgia Division. “Getting to know the Hardemon family throughout the build has been so rewarding. We are thrilled to welcome them to their forever home.”
With this 100th Built to Honor home, PulteGroup has donated more than $35 million in homes and building materials across 17 states to 100 wounded or disabled veterans and their families since the program’s inception. But it means so much more than that. PulteGroup is delivering the dream of homeownership. Every Built to Honor home also relieves the veteran and their family from mortgage payments so they can focus on what matters most – healing and readjusting to civilian life.
Sergeant Hardemon joined the Army in 2007, deploying to both Iraq and Afghanistan during her six-year service. During this time, she earned numerous commendations, including the Army Commendation Medal and Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Two Campaign Stars. She continues to be dedicated to serving the community as she leads chair fitness classes for seniors at nursing homes.
The 100th Built to Honor home was awarded in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes®, a national non-profit organization devoted to bringing support to injured veterans.
About Built to Honor®
For the last decade, PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® program has recognized and thanked returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families. Launched in 2013, the program has built and donated over 80 homes, gifting more than $30 million in value, across the country. Built to Honor works in partnership with nonprofit organizations to identify veteran candidates. For more information about Built to Honor, go to builttohonor.org. Follow Built to Honor on Twitter: @BuiltToHonor and Facebook.com/BuiltToHonor.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup’s purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; pulte.com; centex.com; delwebb.com; divosta.com; jwhomes.com; and americanwesthomes.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.
