Home for the holidays has a special meaning for Navy veteran Isaac Francois and his family. After being displaced for over a year due to an electrical fire, Isaac, his wife, and four children will be able to celebrate Christmas in their own home thanks to the generosity and partnership of Building Homes for Hero's and Lowe's Home Improvement in Lusby, Maryland.
Homeownership took a different route for Isaac; after leaving the military, he was gifted a home by Building Homes for Hero and JPMorgan Chase, and after just two years in the space, it was burned beyond repair - or so he thought. Building Homes for Hero's and Lowe's stepped in to make essential repairs for Isaac and his family to move back in.
From the get-go after learning about Isaac's situation, Lowe's team members were visiting Isaac's home and immediately put forth a plan to help him with projects that would expedite the timeframe that his family could move in. Building Homes for Heroes and Lowe's both have that enduring passion to truly walk the walk when it comes to helping veterans and understand that doing so involves a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. But when it's something you're passionate about – it never feels like work.
Isaac, who immigrated from Haiti in the early 2000s and joined the Navy soon after, says the generosity of the companies was utterly unexpected but something that all veterans need.
One of the biggest challenges to the veterans’ community is homelessness. I don't think anyone who has served this great nation should have no place to call home. So, organizations like Building Homes for Heroes and Lowes partnering in support of veterans is nothing short of amazing. I love seeing the camo vests whenever I go to Lowes. It gives me a sense of pride, and I instantly feel at ease knowing the guy helping me out is a veteran.
Patrick Lawson, Store Manager of Lowe's in St. Mary's County, was onsite to help install vanities and faucets, rework the plumbing lines, drainage, and shut-offs for the fixtures, cut all of the trim and install it into the new drywall. Lowe's also donated a Christmas tree and holiday decor for the inside of the house. It was a hard couple of days of work, but Patrick says the labor was all worth it in the end.
Something like this could not have happened to a better human. Isaac served proudly as a corpsman in the Navy, which is a tough job. He got medically retired, but he is still hungry for life, thankful to Lowes and all those supporting him, and a true reflection of someone who dedicates himself to his country and family without thinking of himself. I was overcome with emotions, and it felt special to share this experience with him.
The gift of the home repair is just in time for the holidays, but according to Isaac, it means so much more than just a seasonal surprise.
I call the house a generational gift as I plan to leave it behind for my kids, who will then pass it on to their kids. It truly is the gift that keeps on giving. In short, the house is financial freedom, a place where I plan to create lots of great memories with my family and instill in my kids a sense of pride and honor to serve.
