STATESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 17, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Like many members of the military, U.S. Army E4 Gordon Simmons (Ret.) moved around a lot during his eight years of service to our country. But when several serious injuries he suffered while serving caused him to retire early, Simmons and his wife Lori chose Charlotte, N.C., as their permanent residence.
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House-hunting with his special circumstances, Simmons learned through Keller Williams Live Love Charlotte and its sub group Live Love Veterans that as a Service Connected Disabled Veteran he met the criteria with Purple Heart Homes to buy a bank-owned home with a mortgage payment of 50 percent of the appraised value.
"The single-story house is perfect for Gordon and Lori's needs and in an area where they wanted to live," said Purple Heart Homes co-founder John Gallina. "But it really needed a facelift and repairs to water damage and rot."
The timing for the Simmons could not have been better because coincidentally, Vicki Payne, host of the critically acclaimed PBS show, "For Your Home," had recently called Purple Heart Homes after reading an article about them and asked if they were working on a house in the area. After looking at the house with Gallina, Payne decided to feature its renovation on her show.
Together, Payne, Purple Heart Homes, and a show sponsor, the Vinyl Siding Institute, chose to re-side the house with certified insulated vinyl siding, because it won't need painting or caulking, won't rot or decay, and can be cleaned with just a garden hose, long-handled bristle brush, and soapy water.
"We didn't want the Simmons to have any worries. Peace of mind is something every homeowner deserves," Gallina said.
The Vinyl Siding Institute secured donations of materials, design concepts, and installation.
"There is no greater feeling than enriching the lives of others, which is why we have a long history of working with non-profit organizations," said Jery Y. Huntley, president and CEO of the Vinyl Siding Institute. "We are thrilled to be working with Purple Heart Homes and offer congratulations on the Simmons's new home."
Purple Heart Homes will hold a Mission Complete Ceremony for the Simmons at 11 a.m., Tuesday, November 18, at 2723 Harris Houston Road, Charlotte, N.C. Members of the community are invited to meet the Simmons and see the renovations.
"Our mission is to provide housing solutions for Service Connected Disabled Veterans and we are so grateful to our sponsors and volunteers that rolled up their sleeves to put in new landscaping and freshen up the home. We are also grateful for Gordon Simmons's service to our country," Gallina said.
Simmons, who suffers from head and back injuries, migraines, vertigo and bilateral ankle injuries, said a home with one-floor living is a dream come true.
"The community support is wonderful. We don't have words to express our gratitude to everyone who came together to help us," he said.
The For Your Home show featuring Gordon Simmons project will air in February 2015.
To learn more about Purple Heart Homes visit www.phhusa.org or like us on facebook www.facebook.com/purplehearthomes.
To learn more about the Vinyl Siding Institute visit www.vinylsiding.org
To learn more about Vicki Payne's PBS Show "For Your Home," visit www.foryourhome.com
Media Contact:
John Gallina
Purple Heart Homes
980-721-4714
Email