LOCAL WOUNDED WARRIOR GETS A BRAND NEW START

Meritage Homes is the ninth-largest publically owned homebuilder nationally. But the company sets an example for local corporate citizenship wherever it builds — and nowhere does that hold more true than in Central Florida.

A U.S. Army National Guard veteran and his family now have a brand-new, mortgage-free home thanks to Meritage and Operation Homefront’s “Homes on the Homefront” program.

Sgt. Keith Hale, his wife, Tianna, and their three children moved into their new home — located in the Seven Oaks community in Winter Springs — on Veterans Day. The new community, where prices start at $254,990, is packed with amenities, including a park, a playground and a pool as well as a pond and walking trails. It’s also near dining and shopping at Winter Springs Town Center

Hale served 10 years in the Army National Guard, including two tours in Iraq. He suffered serious injuries in combat and retired from the military in 2013. Because he uses a wheelchair, the new home is ADA compliant.

“Being chosen to receive this home is overwhelming and life-changing for us,” Hale says. “We want to thank Meritage Homes for giving our family the stability of having a house and our own Operation Homefront for providing us with this opportunity.”

Adds Clint Szubinski, Meritage’s regional president for Florida: “Our veterans dedicated their lives to serving our country, and their families made huge sacrifices in their absence, Our partnership with Operation Homefront allows us to show our appreciation to those who have served and to fulfill their dreams of homeownership.”

Operation Homefront, a national not-for-profit, has provided assistance to thousands of wounded warriors and their families since it was founded in 2002. Through its Homes on the Homefront program, the organization teams with corporate partners such as Meritage to build homes, which are eventually deeded mortgage-free to families who apply and are selected.

Meritage has built more than 80,000 homes in its 28-year history. In addition to Seven Oaks (from $254,990), its Central Florida communities include: Baldwin Cove (Orlando, from $269,990); Colina Bay (Monteverde, from $604,080); East Lake Park (St. Cloud, from $311,990); Ellingsworth (Oviedo, from $490,190); Enclave at Windermere Landing (Windermere, from $377,990); Fells Landing (Orlando, from $330,230); Fisher Plantation (Apopka, from $254,044); and Hampton Estates (Oviedo, prices TBD).

Also: Lake Preserve (Orlando, from $284,990); Lakeside (Winter Park, from $454,990); John’s Lake Pointe (Winter Garden, from $266,990); Lester Ridge (Apopka, from $244,990); Nona Grove (St. Cloud, from $243,990); Oviedo Gardens (Oviedo, prices TBD); Parkside (Orlando, from $492,990); Waterford Creek (Orlando, from $257,990); Tuska Reserve (Casselberry, from $379,990); Twinwaters (Winter Garden, prices TBD); Verde Park (Winter Garden, from $316,990); Watermark (Winter Garden, from $229,990); and Windermere Trails (Windermere, from $265,990). 

For more information, visit meritagehomes.com