HONORING OUR NATION’S HEROES THROUGH UNCERTAIN TIMESSummer 2020

Our four pillar events – surprise, groundbreaking, Notes of Love and our dedication ceremony – mean a lot to us as an organization because each event is an opportunity for us to celebrate a deserving veteran and show them how much they mean to us. These events signify steps in a family’s journey with us which eventually culminate into a new mortgage-free home. In light of the coronavirus pandemic, in keeping consistent with our mission and values, we knew we needed to find a way to hold these meaningful events, even if it looks a little different than before. Our team got together and found new and responsible ways to honor our veterans while maintaining the integrity and tradition of our four signature events.

We’ve introduced some virtual components to our events and implemented strict gathering restrictions and social-distancing measures at in-person events.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Andrews and his family were surprised with the news they will be receiving a mortgage-free home in Kalispell, Montana, during a Zoom meeting in June.

The family thought they were joining a Zoom meeting as part of the interview process and were overjoyed when they found out they were selected to receive a new mortgage-free, custom-built home in Kalispell.

U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Justin Reuber and his family received keys to their new mortgage-free home during a small, socially-distanced

dedication ceremony at the homesite in Hockley, Texas. In the first-of-its-kind event for Operation FINALLY HOME, the ceremony was recorded onsite and streamed online as a Facebook Premiere video on the organization’s page. This format allowed for supporters from across the globe to access the celebration, while maintaining a safe and socially responsible environment for the family and limited guests onsite.

It’s been an interesting journey trying to navigate through a global pandemic but our Operation FINALLY HOME family is resilient and together we’ve managed to make great memories and continue to honor heroes with homes during these most uncertain times. The provision of these homes is a way for everyday Americans to honor those who have served with a gift of a mortgage-free home and to remove the financial burden so the veteran and their family can focus on their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. We’re honored to be able to continue to serve these veterans and their families despite the reality of the current global pandemic.

U.S. Marine Sgt. T.J. Brennan and his family practice caution with face masks while receiving the keys to their mortgage-free home in a special, social-distanced dedication ceremony.

U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber and family receiving the keys to their new mortgage-free home during a socially-distanced dedication ceremony.

U.S. Army SSG Matthew Andrews and family surprised with plans of a mortgage-free home over Zoom.

HOMEFRONT HEROESA Few Words from Dan

Facing Challenges Together

Change is inevitable. We face many seasons in life, and in this season in particular I’m reminded of the saying, “man plans, God laughs.”

Throughout the course of this global pandemic everyone has had plans cancelled or changed at a moment’s notice. Summer vacations, concerts and family reunions have been called off or postponed due to health concerns. While each cancellation and “change of plans” is accompanied by disappointment, it’s important to remember it’s out of our hands. All we can do as a country is support one another and know that God has a larger plan for us.

We are humbled and honored to do the work that we do, where we are able to partner with generous builders and donors to provide America’s heroes with a safe place to weather this storm. Stay-at-home orders have served as a stark reminder that our work is far from over. No matter how different our events may look, we look forward to continuing to change the lives of these veterans for years to come.

It’s unclear how long this pandemic will last and what will finally end it entirely, but it’s our civic duty as Americans to keep the faith through it all.

God Bless,

Dan WallrathFounder of Operation FINALLY HOME

Jessica Cole, wife and caregiver of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Tyson Cole, has been doing great things with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Milwaukee and Indianapolis. The family received a mortgage-free home from Operation FINALLY HOME in 2019 and have been important members of our family and the veteran community ever since. Jessica is collaborating on several projects with the VA and serves as an expert panelist on a current veteran study. Every project she works on focuses around the mission of helping veterans and their caregivers, whether that’s through data on experienced caregivers transitioning a veteran back to the civilized world or offering support services to veterans and their families on a national level.

“The VA offers a lot of programs that support families, as well as the veteran. They’re really beginning to think about the family as a whole, instead of just the veteran, which is really important because it takes a united effort by the entire family to help heal a veteran.”

– Jessica Cole

OFH STAFF SPOTLIGHT: TONI COLLETTOperation FINALLY HOME Board Member

As we celebrate 15 years, we caught up with board member Toni Collett who has been with us since the beginning. Toni has been such a light on our team because of her giving heart and attitude. Toni has seen Operation FINALLY HOME at every stage of its existence, and has helped it get to where it is today. Toni recently started teaching at a new school and is currently fighting breast cancer. She’s a true inspiration to our entire team, as well as her students. Last spring she delivered a graduation speech to the entire school, where she gave this advice: “We all have a choice to decide how we approach life, this has been a year of adversity for all of us and we must look at how our mindset helped get us through. The most important reminder is to always put a positive spin on seemingly negative situations.”

The Cole kids enjoying time together as a family on a recent camping trip.

Jessica and Tyson Cole at a Green Bay Packers game last fall.

FROM THE GROUND UP PILLAR EVENTS

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PILLAR EVENTS: SURPRISES, GROUNDBREAKINGS, NOTES OF LOVE & DEDICATIONSMay 22 Dedication U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber Hockley, TX

June 24 Surprise U.S. Army SSG Matthew Andrews Kalispell, MT

June 25 Notes of Love U.S. Navy PO3 Russell Snodgrass Lubbock, TX

June 30 Dedication U.S. Marine Sgt. T.J. Brennan Culpeper, VA

July 2 Groundbreaking U.S. Army SFC Rich Stayskal Aberdeen, NC

July 9 Notes of Love U.S. Army Veteran J.L. Cross Cleveland, TN

July 11 Dedication U.S. Army SGT Daniel Cappo Menomonee Falls, WI

July 15 Surprise U.S. Army 1LT Eric Benson Orlando, FL

July 28 Groundbreaking U.S. Marine Sgt. Aaron Zurn Vandalia, OH

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U.S. Navy PO3 Russell Snodgrass – Lubbock, TX

U.S. Army SFC Justin Reuber – Hockley, TX

U.S. Army Veteran J.L. Cross – Cleveland, TN

U.S. Marine Sgt T.J. Brennan – Culpeper, VA U.S. Army SGT Daniel Cappo – Menomonee Falls, WI

U.S. Army SFC Rich Stayskal – Aberdeen, NC

U.S. Army 1LT Eric Benson – Orlando, FL

SUMMER FUN HOW ARE OUR HEROES?

Beating the summer heat! – Nelms Family – Round Rock, Texas (Wilshire Homes)

Congratulations on your high school graduation! – Roca Family – Land O’Lakes, Florida (Lennar Homes)

Summer fun! – Hutcheson Family – Ground Ball, Georgia (Portico Properties, Southern Living Custom Builder Program)

Pre-K Graduation – Roca Family – Land O’Lakes, Florida (Lennar Homes)

A very patriotic Memorial Day – Jantz Family – Watauga, Texas (Cameron Classic Homes)

Happy 7th Birthday! – Kadleck Family – The Woodlands, Texas (Beazer Homes)

Family portrait time! – Goodrich Family – Stafford, Virginia (Miller & Smith)

Camping with the whole family! – Ashby Family – Fort Worth, Texas (PulteGroup Built to Honor)

All smiles here! – Veros Family – Jacksonville, Florida (PulteGroup Built to Honor)

Gone hiking! – Walker Family – Maple Grove, Minnesota (PulteGroup Built to Honor)

“We are taking it easy this summer. This Memorial Day we spent time remembering all of our nation’s heroes but especially all of the men and women Travis served with.” – Kristen Jantz

@ OperationFINALLYHOME

@ OpFinallyHome

@ OperationFinallyHome

@ Operation FINALLY HOME

FOLLOW US! SOCIAL CORNER

OPERATION FINALLY HOME PARTNERS WITH NATIONAL SEATING & MOBILITY Operation FINALLY HOME and National Seating & Mobility (NSM) teamed to provide a new wheelchair ramp for U.S. Marine veteran Ray Marin at his home in Austin, Texas. NSM is the leading provider of complete mobility solutions;

including mobility equipment, home & vehicle accessibility and maintenance & repair services supporting independence for individuals with mobility challenges. The project marks the beginning of a new partnership between the two organizations to support mobility and accessibility for veterans in need.

GY20-21 FUND FOR VETERANS’ ASSISTANCE GRANT Operation FINALLY HOME was awarded the GY20-21 Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grant from the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC), for the second consecutive year. The grant, which totals $250,000, will help Operation FINALLY HOME further its mission

of providing home modifications for wounded, ill and injured veterans and widows of the fallen by supporting 16 home modification projects throughout Texas. Since 2014, the TVC has awarded Operation FINALLY HOME $800,000 in grants.

PULTEGROUP’S BUILT TO HONOR PROGRAM RECOGNIZED AS 2020 HEARTHSTONE AWARD WINNER

PulteGroup’s Built to Honor Program received the 2020 Hearthstone Award for their partnership with Operation FINALLY HOME. Among other

projects, Built to Honor worked to provide U.S. Army SGT Howard Appleby and his family a new home in Babcock Ranch, Florida.

Congratulations to PulteGroup on the award and thank you for helping us support our nation’s veterans.

THE CHARLOTTE DESIGNER SHOWHOUSESIn response to COVID-19 shutdowns, the Interior Design Society (IDS) of Charlotte is hosting a video Pay-Per-View tour of three homes, designed with the coordination of 45 design teams and 3 custom builders. Operation FINALLY

HOME will receive a percentage of the proceeds as Southern Living Magazine’s charity of choice. The tour will be available digitally from May 22-Sept. 7. Tickets to the video tour are $10 and can be purchased at https://vimeo.com/ondemand/idscltshow.

FACES, PLACES & SPACES HOMEFRONT & CENTER

CRAIG MORGAN ON COUNTRY MUSIC SERIES Mossy Oak featured country music star and Army veteran Craig Morgan on its ‘Sticks & Strings: Live From the Country’ music series. Morgan performed songs from his new album, God, Family, Country live on

Facebook, YouTube and on the Mossy Oak GO.

OPERATION FINALLY HOME: BY THE NUMBERS

Visit OperationFINALLYHOME.org or call 615-732-6143 to help a hero!

FINAL THOUGHT:“Enjoying success requires the ability to adapt. Only by being open to change will you have a true opportunity to get the most from your talent”

– Nolan Ryan