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Purple Heart Homes, Inc

Veteran Stories: Honoring Service, Celebrating Impact


Every project we complete is more than a renovation or a new build. It's a veteran or military family overcoming barriers and reclaiming the safety, independence, and peace of mind they deserve. These stories reflect the courage, resilience, and service of the veterans we are honored to serve. 

 Purple Heart Homes is privileged to stand alongside veterans from every era, age, background, and branch of service. The numbers below offer a broader look at who they are, while the stories that follow share the lasting impact made possible through the generosity of our donors, volunteers, partners, and supporters. Explore the lives changed, the communities united, and the service honored, one story at a time.

Take a closer look at the lives touched, the communities united, and the service honored - one story at a time.

WHO WE SERVED

VETERAN AGE

80 years or older23.25%
60 years or older49.30%
59 years or younger27.45%
 

ERA OF SERVICE

Vietnam Veterans43.52%
Multiple Conflicts12.50%
Afghanistan6.48%
Gulf War6.95%
Korea/WWII/Other7.88%
 

DIVERSITY

Minority Veterans29.17%
Female Veterans8.33%
 

Every veteran has a story. Explore them below.

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Community Project: American Legion Gresham-Baker Post 66Purple Heart Homes helped rebuild a ramp and improve access at American Legion Post 66 in NC, with help from Lowe’s, Food Lion, and loca...
Veteran Story: James Ramsey Jr.Army Veteran James Ramsey Jr. received critical bathroom repairs through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program, led by Project Mana...
Supporting a WWII Veteran: A New Home for Drew "Preacher... WWII veteran “Preacher” Smith, 99, is getting a new home after a tornado—thanks to Purple Heart Homes, AL2LA, and a dedicated community ...
Veteran's Story: Markum AciernoMarine Veteran Markum Acierno received chimney repairs through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program with help from the Northeast O...
Helping a Local Veteran Stay Safe at Home: Sgt. Reginald... Purple Heart Homes built a ramp for Veteran Sgt. Reginald Gamble in Statesville, NC, with help from T-Mobile and volunteers. He paid it ...
Veteran’s Story: Kevin SmithArmy Veteran Kevin Smith received critical home repairs through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program, supported by Fox Corporation...
Veteran's Story: Merlin WilliamsonMarine Veteran Merlin Williamson received an ADA bathroom through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program, funded by a VA grant and l...
Veteran's Story: Sergeant Donald AlexanderMarine Veteran Sgt. Donald Alexander received a new ramp through Purple Heart Homes' Aging in Place Program with support from The Home D...
Veteran's Story: Roy CranfordNavy Veteran Roy Cranford received a new ramp through Purple Heart Homes’ Aging in Place Program with support from Lowe’s and a North Ca...
Purple Heart Homes Celebrates 1,500th Project Milestone ... Purple Heart Homes celebrates its 1,500th project milestone with a special ceremony honoring Navy Veteran Edward Marruffo. Discover how ...
Veteran's Story: David RodriguezVietnam Veteran David Rodriguez receives a new ramp through Purple Heart Homes’ Veterans Aging in Place Program, thanks to The Home Depo...
Veteran's Story: Joe AndrewsVietnam Veteran Joe Andrews receives vital home upgrades thanks to Purple Heart Homes, Home Depot, and a NC grant—restoring health, safe...
Veteran's Story: Sergeant Benjamin ChericoMarine Veteran Sgt. Benjamin Cherico receives vital property repairs thanks to Purple Heart Homes and a North Carolina grant. Read his p...
Mehl RennerMehl Renner, a Vietnam Veteran, receives life-changing support from Purple Heart Homes and partners to replace his broken heating system...
PHH NE Ohio Chapter Replaces Dangerous ChimneyMarc A., a US Marine Corps veteran from Cleveland, OH, faced a dangerous chimney collapse risk at home. Thanks to Purple Heart Homes NEO...
PHH NE Ohio Chapter Renovates Bathroom for Vietnam Veter... Meet Merlin W., a Vietnam Combat Veteran and Purple Heart recipient who served with extreme bravery in HUE City. Despite facing PTS, neu...
Aaron CashAaron Cash Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Marty NycumMarty Nycum Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Mickey SankerMickey Sanker Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Jose NavarroJose Navarro Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Robert PyronRobert Pyron Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Larry WellsLarry Wells Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
William DrakeWilliam Drake Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Chris DuschelChris Duschel Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Bruce MesserBruce Messer Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Reynaldo (Ray) OchoaReynaldo (Ray) Ochoa Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Erik ThompsonErik Thompson Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Brandon ZettlBrandon Zettl Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Ryan FooteRyan Foote Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Jackie DrakefordJackie Drakeford Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Robert SassoRobert Sasso Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
James JonesJames Jones Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Charles HarrisCharles Harris Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Robert MarrRobert Marr Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Phillip FrasherPhillip Frasher Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Willie GrayWillie Gray Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Hugh McClenneyHugh McClenney Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
David CantrellDavid Cantrell Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Alex RychlikAlex Rychlik Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
James SchenkJames Schenk Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Rodger DowningRodger Downing Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Justin SniderJustin Snider Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
William CarlinWilliam Carlin Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
James DarbyJames Darby Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Diana TreviñoDiana Treviño Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Robert James, Jr.Robert James, Jr. Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Sheila DouglasSheila Douglas Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
George Hite, Jr.George Hite, Jr. Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Roger HardyRoger Hardy Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story
Reuben EdwardsReuben Edwards Purple Heart Homes Veteran Story

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

Purple Heart Homes, Inc. does not and shall not discriminate, when making determinations of whether applicants are eligible for services, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.

Purple Heart Homes endeavors to provide services to and for disabled and honorably discharged Veterans, and will make applicant eligibility decisions on this basis alone.

501[C]3 Non-Profit
Founded by Veterans for Veterans

EIN 26-3516121