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Sep 6, 2018

Qualico And Pacesetter Homes Texas Supports Helping A Hero

Georgetown, TX – Imagine your life changing completely in an instant, affecting your ability to do your job, play with your kids, and perform daily tasks. U.S. Army Sergeant (Ret.) James “Shane” Ray had just such an experience one night in June 2006.

Shane was serving in Iraq, and the vehicle he was driving that evening ran over two IEDs (improvised explosive devices). He suffered severe burns, the loss of a leg, and ongoing medical complications from the blast. He received the Purple Heart for his injuries in combat, the Bronze Star for his selflessness and valour, and numerous other medals.

Shane’s injuries mean that he will rely on the use of a wheelchair, though he hopes to one day be able to wear a prosthetic leg. He and his wife Tessa have two children, one of whom has special needs. Recently, the family lost their home to a fire.

For his service to his country and the hardships he has faced, Shane was nominated for the Nominate a Wounded Hero program, which selects a wounded soldier who served in the Global War on Terror to receive an accessibly designed home in the MorningStar community just north of Austin in Georgetown.

The program was a combined effort between Helping a Hero, Westin Homes, and MorningStar.

The building of the home is being partially funded by donations, and Qualico and Pacesetter Homes Texas provided a donation of $5,000 as part of a recent fundraising event for Shane and his family.

On August 9, a VIP reception and concert was held, with a performance by country music star Lee Greenwood.

A ceremony was also held on August 10 to welcome the family to their new home. Brian Higgins, Regional Vice President, Qualico U.S. Region, and Tom Lynch, President of Pacesetter Homes Texas, attended the ceremony.

Tom Lynch felt the opportunity to contribute to such a cause was an important one.

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“We were honored that Qualico and Pacesetter Homes were invited to participate in this effort to assist this very deserving wounded veteran and his family,” said Tom. “Donations such as ours are used to pay the builders and trades alike that participate in the program to cushion the financial requirements of each effort so that the program can continue on to benefit even more wounded veterans in the future.”

The specially designed, 2,900 sq. ft. home features four bedrooms and three bathrooms with adaptations, such as a roll-in shower, a roll-under sink, an adapted toilet area, and wider hallways and doorways. As part of the program, Shane and his family will commit to making this their primary residence for 10 years, getting a mortgage of $50,000, and using the Veteran Affairs Specially Adapted Housing Grant.

To date, Helping a Hero has awarded over 100 homes to people like Shane in 22 states and has completed homes in the Texas communities of Belton/Killeen, Austin, Round Rock, Bandera, New Braunfels, Canyon Lake, and Robinson.

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