Operation FINALLY HOME
A family of ten (2 adults, 6 children, and 2 dogs) were welcomed into their new 3,700 square foot home on Friday, October 21, 2022. Discover more about this amazing family and the process that led them to this mortgage-free home.
Welcome Home, Sanchez Family
U.S. Army Specialist Jacob Sanchez, his wife, Sam and their six children were presented with the keys to their new home through Operation Finally Home which provides mortgage-free homes to wounded, ill, and injured veterans, first responders, and their families. The house was built by Courtesy Custom Homes with materials from McCoy’s Building Supply among others and fully furnished by H-E-B. Operation Finally Home provides homes by partnering with national and local builders, developers, builder associations, corporate sponsors, and individuals in the veteran’s community.
The family was escorted to their home by the local Patriot Guard Riders and welcomed by builders Carlos Juvera and Rosita Juvera, Brian McCoy, Board Chairman of McCoy’s Building Supply, and Manny Gonzales, manager of the Pharr McCoy’s Building Supply store, along with other McCoy’s team members, officials from Operation Finally Home and H-E-B, and local dignitaries.
Several people spoke at the dedication sharing their experiences about being part of this project. After the speeches, a ribbon-cutting was held to officially welcome the excited family into their 5-bedroom, 3-bath home. Their new place was designed with several special features including a dog wash area for Jacob’s service dog and a blackout room. Jacob suffers from chronic migraines as a result of his military service and the blackout room provides a safe place for him to rest to help an attack subside. The beautiful home sits on a 15,000 square foot lot which is the largest in the subdivision and delivers generous outside space for active, growing children.
“Getting to be part of this project was a humbling, heartwarming experience. We’re excited to have helped provide Jake, Sam, and all the kids with a place they can call home,” said Manny Gonzalez. “It is such an honor to help create something so special for the Sanchez family that we hope provides a lifetime’s worth of memories and experiences.”
The Sanchez's Story
U.S. Army Specialist Jacob Sanchez served for over four years and was deployed to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan, Sanchez’s unit was attacked. When the gun mounted on top of his truck jammed, Sanchez jumped on top of the truck amidst enemy fire to fix it. As a result of his many missions, he sustained various injuries, was honorably discharged, and declared 100% disabled. For his valiant service, Sanchez is a recipient of the Combat Action Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, as well as several other awards.
After applying to Operation Finally Home, Sanchez, his wife, Sam, and their children learned they had been selected to receive a custom home through a surprise video call in March 2021. The surprise announcement was made after months of back-end work that secured Courtesy Custom Homes as a builder along with financial sponsors. A groundbreaking was held to mark the official beginning of construction in October 2021. Then this past February, guests wrote inspirational words of support and encouragement on the studs of the home which were then revealed for the family to read.
Born To Build Heroes
Building a mortgage-free, custom home that fits the lifestyle of any family is a challenge. Yet, Courtesy Custom Homes generously volunteered to build the perfect home for the Sanchez family at no cost to them. Brother and sister duo, Carlos and Rosita, donated not just the two lots the home occupies but also donated all the labor to build the home, running the project with the same dedication and finesse that they bring to all of their jobs.
“Carlos and Rosita were nothing short of amazing to work with on this project,” said Manny Gonzalez. “Their sheer focus and attention to detail at meeting all of the Sanchez’s family’s needs were paramount in achieving the final result which is awe-inspiring.”
McCoy’s Building Supply is so honored to have been part of this project. The Sanchez family has been on a long journey leading to this home which has been so wonderfully and thoughtfully made for them. McCoy’s stores pride themselves on being deeply invested in their communities and it means so much to help welcome these heroes home.