Purple Heart Homes Celebrates 1,500th Project Milestone with Ceremony Honoring U.S. Navy Veteran

Purple Heart Homes (PHH) marked a major milestone on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, celebrating the completion of its 1,500th project since its founding in 2008. The organization hosted a Mission Complete Ceremony in honor of U.S. Navy Veteran Edward Marruffo, whose home received critical accessibility updates thanks to the efforts of PHH’s Golden Corner Chapter.

Honoring Service Through Action

Edward Marruffo, who experiences neuropathy in both his upper and lower extremities, needed modifications to ensure his safety and comfort at home. Volunteers from the Golden Corner Chapter built a ramp leading to his front door and installed a CleanCut convertible tub insert in his bathroom.

This project not only changed one Veteran’s life but also served as a symbol of Purple Heart Homes' broader mission. Since 2008, PHH has completed 1,519 projects, serving 3,641 Veterans and impacting over 8,274 family members and community residents nationwide.

A Ceremony of Gratitude and Recognition

The Mission Complete Ceremony featured several special moments and honored the many hands that made this milestone possible:

• Kerry Lawing, Chief Operations Officer of PHH, opened the event with remarks highlighting the organization’s growth and commitment.

• The presentation of colors was conducted by the Walhalla High School JROTC, who additionally had a member who delivered a rendition of the national anthem.

• Len Bagwell, PHH Events and Communications Manager, led the gathering in prayer.

• Esteban McMahan, Vice Chair of the PHH Board of Directors, spoke about the lasting impact of PHH’s work on Veterans and their families.

• Lamar Austin, PHH Project Manager, addressed the attendees, expressing appreciation for the Golden Corner Chapter and all volunteers.

• Michael Arabe, President of the Golden Corner Chapter, and Frank Drennan also shared words of gratitude and encouragement.

Notably, the Golden Corner Chapter was recognized for its dedication, having completed 208 projects alone. The chapter has 106 members, with 50-75 consistently active volunteers who make a difference in their communities.

To commemorate their achievements, Lamar Austin presented the Golden Corner Chapter with an award celebrating their contributions. He also presented Navy Veteran Edward Marruffo with a special quilt crafted by the women’s group at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville, North Carolina.

Looking Ahead

Purple Heart Homes extends its thanks to its partners, chapters, donors, and volunteers. While the 1,500th project is a remarkable achievement, PHH’s work is far from over. The organization remains committed to continuing its mission of providing critical housing solutions for service-disabled and aging Veterans across the country — one project, one Veteran, and one family at a time.

Join Us in Our Mission

You can help us continue making a difference in the lives of Veterans like Edward Marruffo. Whether through volunteering, donating, or spreading the word, every action matters.

Learn more, get involved, and support our mission today by visiting www.purplehearthomesusa.org.

Together, we can ensure that no Veteran is left behind. Want to be a part of our mission? 

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