One of the most recent heroes we're helping is a young Army medic with about a dozen pieces of shrapnel in his brain and much of both hands gone. Specialist Kevin H. was driving a humvee in a convoy behind a tank when a rocket fired by an Islamic terrorist intended for the tank blasted through Kevin's vehicle.
Kevin is the kind of guy any father would be proud to have as a son. The last year has been filled with pain and struggle and suffering for Kevin, but he never complains and is positive and upbeat.
His dream is to have his own home near Fort Hood, Texas and to become a teacher. (He was thinking law enforcement as a career but he no longer has a trigger finger.)
We are helping Kevin reach both of those goals. Thanks to his five years of military service, he has plenty of education credit, so that part is already largely taken care of. Right now, we're focused on finding him a home. We're a small charity without the funds to just outright buy a house for Kevin and his almost-fiance, but we're seeking help from other charities. And, hey, if you feel an overpowering urge to make a contribution earmarked for him, don't let reading this blog get in your way!
While our goal is to attract the resrouces necessary to give him a home outright, plan "B" is to find a foreclosure in Copperas Cove, Texas, put up the cash for the down payment, get a loan from a local lender. The median price of a home there is $102,200. We're looking for one we can pick up for around $50,000 to $60,000.
Even with his mangled hands, Kevin could do a lot of the work needed to fix up a place with lots of deferred maintenance. Plus, we think that working with Mary Smith, the president of the local Chamber of Commerce, we ought to be able to find some good Texas volunteers to pitch in. Hopefully, with, say, $20,000 invested in rehab, Kevin can make that $50,000 house worth $110,000 to $120,000. By adding that $50,000 to $60,000 in value to the house, he should be able to borrow $100,000 which would give him a mortgage payment of about $600 a month.
As he will probably get about 90% disability payment from Uncle Sam, this should be very affordable. That $50,000+ equity would give him enough working capital to buy another foreclosure and fix it up and flip it or rent it. Plus pay OurFinest.Org back the down payment so we can use it to help another wounded warrior.
So, that's our worst case plan to get Kevin started on a new life. It's not as good as giving him a house outright, but we think it's a workable plan. Any thoughts?
The very best thing about running OurFinest.Org is the chance to meet heroes like Kevin and their families. Kevin is blessed with a Super Mom, a woman with all the protective drive of a mother bear for her cubs. I sent her an email this morning thanking her for all the help in going after resources that might be available for Kevin and complimented her on her energetic support and got the following response:
"Ahh Mark – that was so very sweet of you to say – yes, indeed, I have a great deal of love and support for our son Kevin, as I do for each of our sons. It’s only natural, don’t you think? Indeed, I am extremely motivated and very supportive of him, and of course only want to make all his dreams become a reality….. I have attempted to maintain clear and accurate contact information since Kevin’s injury on September 30 of ’07 – it’s hard to believe it has been over a year. I am longing for that precious day for him to be totally out of D.C. and on with his life in hopefully Texas – and the Ft. Hood/Copperas Cove area. I want so very much for all his dreams to become a reality. I forwarded Kevin your last email so he too knows how very hard you are working on everything Mark – thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!! "
So do I have a great job or what? While a paycheck does not come with the job -- OurFinest is an all volunteer organization -- the appreciation of people like Kevin and his Mom is worth more than gold.
While I served four years in the U.S. Navy, my military career was undistinguished: just a swabby on an aircraft carrier. I'm no hero but I am so grateful that I get to hang with heroes.
Warrior care!
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