- November 16, 2024
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County Commissioner Charlie Ericksen, Vice Mayor Bill McGuire and Florida Event Coordinator Kim Valdyke welcomes the De Leon family to their new home. Photos by Anastasia Pagello
The De Leon, Danker, Sosa and Rosairo families who have all received a home through Building Homes for Heroes, with Vice Mayor Bill McGuire, County Commisioners Nate McGloklin, Charlie Ericksen and members of the Elks Lodge
Jellitza De Leon leads her family into their new home.
The Building Homes for Heroes organization places a bubbling fountain into every home to soothe soldiers diagnosed with PTSD.
The home has four bedrooms, two bathrooms and 2,500 square feet of living area.
Carlos De Leon, who was wounded in Iraq by a mortar attack in 2007, was accompanied by his wife, Jellitza, and their two children as they were welcomed Oct. 15 into their newly modified home by supporting community members.
The family’s new home was previously a foreclosed house and was donated by Chase Bank to the Building Homes for Heroes organization. Building Homes for Heroes replaced the old vinyl flooring throughout the house with tile, fenced in the yard, placed granite counter-tops in the kitchen and a bubbling water feature in the patio.
Building Homes for Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that assists soldiers who were wounded while fighting to protect our country. The families are relieved of a mortgage when given a newly modified home. The De Leon family was the third to receive a home in Palm Coast this year. Within 2015, 38 homes will be constructed or enhanced for families throughout the country.
“It was so hard getting back on our feet in the beginning. Seeing the home today — I do not think there are words to describe it; I am speechless.”
— Jellitza De Leon
Staff Sgt. Carlos De Leon was diagnosed with traumatic brain disease and PTSD. He has a 90% disability rating. Receiving the new home has removed the family’s financial burden, and helps Carlos to lead a more independent civilian life.
“My mother and father deserve this more than anybody,” Carlos De Leon’s 17-year-old son said. “They both work so hard to provide for my sister and I. Receiving this home has alleviated much off their shoulders.”
