In our state alone, an estimated 1 in 4 veterans struggle financially to afford basic necessities. Nationally, 1 in 3 veterans experience moderate to severe financial stress during their first year or two after returning home and transitioning back to civilian life. Coming home from being deployed can be challenging in so many ways, and it’s up to our own communities to help those who served us, in any way we can.
One such organization that gives back to veterans is Building Homes for Heroes. This is a national non-profit organization that constructs, modifies, and gifts mortgage-free homes to injured U.S. veterans, first responders, and their families.
The organization’s story began in the aftermath of 9/11, when founder, Andy Pujol, volunteered in the search and rescue efforts. That day, he pledged to serve our country and to help the brave men and women who would serve and sacrifice to defend our freedom in the aftermath of those attacks.
Soon after that day, Building Homes for Heroes was born with the hope of gifting a single home to a single veteran. Twenty-three years later, Pujol’s dream has grown, and the organization is hoping to reach their milestone of gifting 500 homes by the end of 2025.
While Building Homes for Heroes helps veterans from all over, just recently, one South Jersey local was awarded a mortgage-free home right here in our community.
Sgt. Matthew Mildorf enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2004 and served until 2014 after being deployed to Iraq in both 2006 and 2007 and Afghanistan in 2013.
After years serving his country, Mildorf was awarded a Purple Heart after being wounded in his first deployment in 2006. That award shows his continued commitment and sacrifice to our country, and Mildorf says he carries it with him for those who didn’t make it home like he did.
Mildorf and his two sons were awarded the most recent mortgage-free home courtesy of Building Homes for Heroes last Thursday, Sept. 17. A ceremony was held in the front yard to officially gift the house, and Mildorf moved in right after.
“This now gives me freedom to really enjoy life and enjoy the things that are meaningful to me. I’ve struggled financially in the past, so this is the biggest blessing I could have been given,” Mildorf said. “I’m excited to make memories with my kids and the rest of my family in my new home.”
Mildorf shared that he found out he would be the recipient of this home at a golf tournament for Building Homes for Heroes. He shared that his two sons were with him when the news broke, and a lot of tears of joy were shed.
“I was completely shocked. My boys were up here for the summer with me, and I got invited to go and bring them with me to a golf tournament for Building Homes for Heroes. They told me I just was going to meet some donors, but instead they announced I was going to be awarded a home,” Mildorf said. “That announcement was life-changing. I was in tears and just overjoyed by it all.”
In addition to gifting these mortgage-free homes to veterans with their Home Award Program, Building Homes for Heroes also has an Emergency Funding Program and Family Support, which helps during difficult financial times and life-altering moments. There is also a Physical Health and Mental Wellness program that helps to address the growing mental health crisis within the veteran and first responder communities, ensuring that they are here for every difficult part of these heroes’ lives.
Mildorf shared that none of the organization’s efforts would be possible without the generous donations they receive and collaborations between JPMorgan Chase and Lowe’s, who are generous donors as well.
“Veterans coming home from active duty and struggling is something I really take to heart,” Mildorf shared. “I think because we don’t see an active war on TV, a lot of people forget about the service and sacrifice veterans do and have done over the years. I think it’s always important to recognize the fact that even though veterans have come home, there are still a lot of challenges in being back and that transition of coming home. Building Homes for Heroes sees that, brings it to the forefront of the community and gives thanks and support that all veterans deserve.”
