Operation Homefront teamed up with United Rentals and Wells Fargo
What a way to kick off Homeownership Month. Military veterans Army Sergeant Mike Vanscoy, Army Specialist Chris White, Army Specialist Joe Wallace, Marine Corps Sergeant Corey Bowen and Army Sergeant Ricardo Bailey and their families received the surprise of a lifetime at Stone Mountain Park in metro Atlanta on Saturday, June 1, 2013. During a company picnic, sponsored by veterans’ employer, United Rentals, the largest equipment rental company in the world, the servicemen stood before hundreds alongside their families as ambassadors of five pillars: Reliability, Leadership, Discipline, Teamwork and Honesty.
While they may in fact display each of these characteristics, the display boards themselves were actually just props to cover up the picture of their new, mortgage-free homes donated to Operation Homefront via Wells Fargo’s REO home donation program.
Ten percent of United Rental Employers are military veterans.
“This is the first year we have had the privilege of working with United Rentals. We know how important employee service is to them. We also know the importance employing military veterans. Operation Homefront is dedicated to serving military families, and mostly post 911-wounded and injured service members. In the past 11 years, we have met the needs of over 150,000 military families across the U.S.,” shares Amy Palmer, Operation Homefront’s chief development officer.
“What a wonderful event. It’s an honor to be here and to thank servicemen for all they have done. I can’t think of a better way to kick homeownership month off than making five owners out of these deserving veterans,” comments Tyler Smith, VP, REO Community Development at Wells Fargo Bank.
Khadija Vanscoy, wife of Army Sergeant Vanscoy was at a loss for words. She managed through her tears to say, “God is good. I can’t believe it. I am absolutely speechless.”
Georgia’s Lt. Governor Casey Cagle offered, “We oftentimes don’t pause to think about the sacrifices of our military members and what they are leaving behind to go and fight for freedom. That’s why Operation Homefront is so important. They fill in that gap. Life isn’t about self, life is about service and service to others.”
“Wells Fargo is proud to be a part of this surprise donation with Operation Homefront and United Rentals,” adds Brian McCollough, Wells Fargo Military Affairs program manager. “We’ve provided mortgage-free housing to members of the military who served our country so bravely.”
Wells Fargo is one of America’s leading community banks and the nation’s largest home mortgage lender.
