U.S. Army Sgt. Jackie Irving and his large family — including son, Jovele, who’s one of five Irving siblings — will never need to worry about having a home, thanks to Real Radio, MCBC and an array of sponsoring organizations. Ceremonies were recently held to present the new home to the Irvings.
A WARRIOR COMES HOME
Mcbc Builders Say Thanks to an American Hero.
Members of Orlando’s Master Custom Builder Council (MCBC) are best-known for their beautiful luxury homes and elite client base. But they don’t get much more elite than those who’ve made tremendous physical and emotional sacrifices in the armed forces.
One of those service members, U.S. Army Sgt. Jackie Irving, recently got a rousing “thank you” in the form of a mortgage-free, custom home built by MCBC members in conjunction with Real Radio 104.1 and Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit that has facilitated similar projects for the past 10 years.
During a special home-dedication ceremony in March, representatives MCBC, Operation Finally Home and Real Radio joined with local officials to present Irving and his family with the keys to their new home, dubbed “the Monster House” because of the involvement of Real Radio’s Monsters in the Morning program, which was built in Sanford.
Real Radio personality — and head “Monster” — Russ Rollins along with Sanford Mayor Jeff Triplett were among those on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony and a tour of the completed home with the Irvings.
MCBC, based in Winter Park, is pledged to maintaining the highest professional standards in the homebuilding industry. The organization represents 26 of the area’s leading builders.
“Working with Operation Finally Home was an opportunity for members of the MCBC to honor a deserving hero in our own way,” says Pam Davis, MCBC executive director. “On behalf of the builders, we were proud to unveil the new home for the Irving family, and hope they enjoy its warmth and love for years to come.”
Irving deployed to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2011. In 2012, he was struck by the blast of an improvised explosive device while on foot patrol. As a result of the explosion. he was left with traumatic brain injury, loss of hearing, breathing problems and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as injuries to his arm.
Irving officially retired from the Army in 2013. During his time in the service, he received numerous awards, including a Purple Heart.
Operation Finally Home is a 501(c)(3) organization with the mission “to provide custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America’s heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values.”
“We enjoyed seeing the progress on the home for the Irving family and are thrilled to see it completed in all its grandeur,” says Rusty Carroll, executive director of Operation Finally Home. “We’re thankful for the expertise of the MCBC and the support of Real Radio 104.1 for this build. This is a home we are proud to gift this special family.”