HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--U.S. Army Sergeant James Ford and Army Specialist Kisha Dorsey have broken ground on their brand-new homes, donated by national homebuilder PulteGroup. The two veterans were surprised late last year with the life-changing news that they were each selected to receive a new, mortgage-free Centex home through the Built to Honor® program, which provides the gift of a new home to deserving veterans and their families across the country.
“We are so proud to build not just one—but two—homes to thank both of these veterans for their courage and service to our country,” said Lindy Oliva, division president of PulteGroup’s Houston Division. “Sergeant Ford and Army Specialist Dorsey both have wonderful families with children, and we are excited to welcome them to the Windrow community where they can plant new roots and thrive in this new chapter of their lives.”
Each veteran will receive a brand-new 1,500+ square foot single-family home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths in the Windrow community by Centex in Hockley, Texas. When the homes are completed this spring, they will officially move in and become neighbors, as the homes are next door to each other.
PulteGroup will dedicate the homes in partnership with Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect.
“We are thrilled to join our amazing PulteGroup partners once again to provide these two very deserving military families with brand new mortgage-free homes to support their transitions back into their civilian communities,” said Brig. Gen. (ret.) John Pray, Jr., president and CEO of Operation Homefront. "These are the fourth and fifth homes they have donated to support our important work and I'm proud to say Ryan Marshall and the entire PulteGroup team share our unwavering commitment to serving our military families in their time of need for all they have done for all of us in our nation's time of need."
Construction of these two homes is made possible through the generous support of Sempra, a leading energy infrastructure company serving more than 36 million consumers worldwide, with operations in the Houston area. The award is part of a broader commitment by Sempra and its family of companies to improve lives and help build stronger, more resilient communities.
“These houses are more than just a place to live, they are foundational components these families will turn into homes that enhance their lives,” said Mitch Mitchell, senior vice president of diversity and community partnerships for Sempra. “Doing things to help strengthen our Texas communities remains a central focus of our efforts in Texas, and we are grateful for the opportunity to support these two veterans as part of our work to help create a better future for the communities we serve."
About Our Veteran Recipients
U.S. Army Sergeant James Ford served as a combat engineer in Afghanistan, where he lost his right leg below the knee after an enemy attack. He is now completing a master’s degree at Texas A&M in College Station with plans to pursue a doctoral degree in ecology and evolutionary biology at Rice University in Houston. Ford is also passionate about mentoring and helping his fellow disabled veterans. A father to an 11-year-old daughter, Jade, and 10-year-old son, Oliver, he looks forward to each having their own room in their new home.
U.S. Army Specialist Kisha Dorsey served her country proudly until the wear and tear of military life took its toll on her physically and forced her to retire from service. Today, Dorsey is a payroll administrator for Lone Star College in Houston. She is a single mother who cares for her two sons, Chase, age 16, and Noah, age 7, who was born with autism. Dorsey is excited to realize her dream of homeownership and provide her family with greater opportunity for generations to come.
About Built to Honor®
PulteGroup’s Built to Honor® program recognizes and thanks 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 more than 60 homes 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.
About Operation Homefront
Celebrating 20 years of serving America's military families, Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 90 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America's military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.
About Sempra
Sempra's mission is to be North America's premier energy infrastructure company. The Sempra family of companies has more than 19,000 talented employees who deliver energy with purpose to over 36 million consumers. With more than $66 billion in total assets at the end of 2020, the San Diego-based company is the owner of one of the largest energy networks in North America serving some of the world's leading economies. The company is helping to advance the global energy transition by enabling the delivery of lower-carbon energy solutions in the markets it serves, including California, Texas, Mexico and the LNG export market. Sempra is consistently recognized as a leader in sustainable business practices and for its long-standing commitment to building a high-performing culture with a focus on safety, workforce development and training, and diversity and inclusion. Sempra is the only North American utility sector company included on the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and was also named one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" for 2021 by Fortune Magazine. For additional information about Sempra, please visit Sempra's website at www.sempra.com and on Twitter @Sempra.
