EVANS, Ga. () – A combat-injured veteran and his family are receiving their dream home, thanks to the efforts of a nonprofit organization, A Soldier’s Journey Home, along with the assistance of local firefighters.
The home is being kept under wraps for now because the veteran hasn’t yet had the chance to see it. The nonprofit group “A Soldier’s Journey Home” is working on the construction. This Saturday, Retired Army Sgt. 1st Class David Mathis and his family will be introduced to this brand-new home, designed to be fully accessible.
“He became a double amputee in 2017 due to injuries. His wife is also a veteran and served as a marine firefighter, which adds a unique aspect to their story,” explained Mark Coffman, the Lead Logistics Coordinator for A Soldier’s Journey Home.
A Soldier’s Journey Home is a nonprofit organization that helps build homes for injured veterans throughout the nation.
“This is a 100% mortgage-free home. We also purchased the property for them as well. So when they move in, they have no house payment,” said Coffman.
Local Columbia County and Augusta Fire are helping build the home. They have been a part of the mission before. Scott Freeman, a lieutenant with the Augusta Fire Department, is a founding board member of the nonprofit.
“We train our warriors; we send them off. They come back, however they come back. We don’t teach them to be civilians again. Some of the people we’ve built for would just be living in a truck, homeless. They’ve earned it,” said Scott Freeman, Lieutenant, Augusta Fire Department.
This is the fifth house retired Columbia County Firefighter Roy Wright has helped build.
“They signed the dotted line to go and sacrifice for us. So, this is my way of helping – being a part of something that gives back. Just cool to be part of something here locally to help out a local veteran,” said Roy Wright, Teacher at Evans High School, retired Columbia County Fire Rescue.
A Soldiers Journey Home builds one house a year. Volunteers from around the country come together to make the veterans’ perfect home, but they do not want to just leave them after everything is all said and done.
“We are here for about 18 to 20 days. The house itself starts, and we do it in 14 days. We have a huge footprint here, and then we’re gone. So, what we try to do is get the local community involved so that when we leave, they still have support systems around them,” said Coffman.
This is the nonprofit’s 11th build and first build in Georgia. You can find more information on “A Soldier Journey Home” on their website.
