Boot Campaign Housing Program Sponsors Mortgage-Free Home for a Veteran
Boot Campaign Housing Program Sponsors Mortgage-Free Home for a Veteran
Military Awareness and Assistance Non-Profit Partners With Fairway Independent Mortgage and Military Warriors Support Foundation to Make Possible Home Sponsorship for Pittsburgh, PA area Veteran, Purple Heart Recipient
Austin, TX (April 10, 2013) – Purple Heart Recipient and Retired Army Specialist Tyler Schell is now the humbled recipient of a mortgage-free home in the Pittsburgh, PA area. 23-year-old Schell was presented with keys to the home on April 8th in Allentown, PA. The home was presented as part of the Boot Campaign’s Housing Program, in partnership with Fairway Independent Mortgage and Military Warriors Support Foundation. The Boot Campaign is a national 501c3 non-profit dedicated to showing tangible appreciation for our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home.
“Receiving this home is deeply appreciated. Just a blessing that we have people in this country that support there troops coming back and take money out of there own pocket to significantly change a single persons life, as well as showing the rest of veterans returning that there sacrifice doesn’t go without thanks. It just really shows that “risk and reward” does exist, taking that risk on the battlefield which changed who I am. I just didn’t know that after years of therapy and adapting back into a civilian would come with such reward.” — Tyler Schell, US Army Ret.
Currently living in San Antonio, TX recovering from wounds sustained in an Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) blast, Schell was born and raised in Sharon, PA. Schell’s three bedroom, one bathroom home is in McDonald, PA. The property was donated by Wells Fargo.
Schell joined the U.S. Army in 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in January 2009 with the 10th Mountain Division, 3rd Brigade, 2-87 Infantry. He was injured on September 2, 2009. While on patrol in Wardak Province of Afghanistan his MRAP (armored vehicle) was blown by an IED. Schell was trapped inside the vehicle as the flames spread. 30% of his body was covered in third degree burns. Schell had compression fractures throughout his spine, suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
In the past two years, the Boot Campaign has helped make home ownership possible for more than a dozen veterans—seven of these mortgage-free home sponsorships have been made possible thanks to the generous donations of Fairway Independent Mortgage employees.
Once Shell moves into his home, he will go through a mandatory three year financial mentoring program. Upon completion of the program, he will receive the Deed to the McDonald, PA home.
Schell is planning to attend college and study architecture.
WFMZ-TV Home Presentation Coverage: http://www.wfmz.com/news/Wounded-soldier-presented-with-key-to-new-home/-/121458/19667334/-/ilycf3z/-/index.html
The Boot Campaign
The Boot Campaign is a national 501c3 patriotic movement that is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home. Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations, and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct initiatives — Housing, Jobs, Wellness, Urgent Assistance and Family Support– that are caring for military personnel, past and present, healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, “When They Come Back, We Give Back.” http://bootcampaign.com
About Fairway Independent Mortgage
Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson and Dean Anderson, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage banker headquartered in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The company has 145 locations and approximately 1,400 employees nationwide. The corporate vision is to foster relationships and create a team atmosphere, empowering offices to operate autonomously in their day-to-day operations, while still maintaining strict compliance and consistency across the board. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation provides all necessary support in the areas of personnel, accounting and compliance. For more information, please visit http://fairwayindependentmc.com
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Media Contact: Meghan McDermott Meghan@BootCampaign.com
Housing Program Contact: Gwen Lammers Gwen@BootCampaign.com
