Purple Heart Homes Improves Quality of Life For Veterans

Last Updated 12/18/2024Posted in In The News

Three million Americans are affected.

Let that number sink in.

Three million Americans are service-disabled veterans; 90% of whom don’t have the means to adjust their homes to accommodate their disabilities.

This story isn’t about staggering numbers, however. It’s about real people who sacrificed for their country and are having their lives transformed through the generosity of others. It’s about people helping people. It’s about a nonprofit organization called Purple Heart Homes that was created to reduce those staggering numbers. 

Purple Heart Homes was founded in 2008 by two Iraq combat-wounded veterans, John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, to help these disabled veterans improve their quality of life. The organization works with partners like Lowe’s to offer housing solutions to veterans. It provides critical home repairs to meet mobility and safety needs and assists in home ownership.

“On the battlefield, you leave no man or woman behind,” said Paul Cockerham, development director at Purple Heart Homes. “We feel like some of these veterans have been left behind, and we’re doing our part to make sure they’re not left behind.”

In July, Paul Hartman, a 94-year old Navy veteran of World War II, received the 600th completed project by Purple Heart Homes. Hartman served in a flotilla in the Western Pacific as an Electrician’s Mate for two years during the war. This summer, Purple Heart Homes, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s volunteers built a new ramp and deck along with other modifications to help renovate the veteran’s home.

Purple Heart Homes was founded in 2008 by two Iraq combat-wounded veterans, John Gallina and the late Dale Beatty, to help these disabled veterans improve their quality of life. The organization works with partners like Lowe’s to offer housing solutions to veterans. It provides critical home repairs to meet mobility and safety needs and assists in home ownership.

“On the battlefield, you leave no man or woman behind,” said Paul Cockerham, development director at Purple Heart Homes. “We feel like some of these veterans have been left behind, and we’re doing our part to make sure they’re not left behind.”

In July, Paul Hartman, a 94-year old Navy veteran of World War II, received the 600th completed project by Purple Heart Homes. Hartman served in a flotilla in the Western Pacific as an Electrician’s Mate for two years during the war. This summer, Purple Heart Homes, Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s volunteers built a new ramp and deck along with other modifications to help renovate the veteran’s home. 

Article by Michael Crowe – Staff Writer an Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
Purple Heart Homes’ 2026 Annual Board RetreatPurple Heart Homes’ 2026 Annual Board Retreat brought Board members and leadership together to plan for the future and strengthen effort...
Veteran's Story: Sergeant Dan PaulVietnam Veteran Sgt. Dan Paul received vital home repairs through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program with support from The Home ...
Fifth Street Ministries, Purple Heart Homes Help Veteran... Article originally published by Iredell Free News on November 9, 2021. After returning home from Iraq, U.S. Army National Guard veteran ...
Purple Heart Homes Launches Historic National Mall Veter... Purple Heart Homes announced the National Mall Veteran Home Build, taking place Sept. 27 to Oct.5 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
17th Annual Tee Off For A Veteran
Sep 12, 2026
7:30 AM EDT
1300 Lake Wright Rd
China Grove, NC 28203
Read More 
National Mall Home Build
Sep 27, 2026
10:00 AM EDT
Washington, DC
Read More 
Patriot Clays Challenge
Oct 30, 2026
10:00 AM EDT
990 Burnsville Church Road
Polkton, NC 28135
Read More 

Please Support These Major Corporate Donors That Support Veterans Every Day!