Purple Heart Homes and Partners Save Vet From Unsafe Living
By: Grace Smith – Wise News Network
IRON STATION, NC (WNN) – A year ago, if you were to ask Donald Surrat, a 72-year-old army veteran, about home repairs, he’d request patching his roof and installing a doorbell. Now, Surratt took the honorary first swing of the total demolition of his home.
The veteran has seen an outpour of support from his community after discovering that his house was unsafe to live in. Love Our Veterans Thrift Store in Denver, N.C., met Surratt a year ago and started helping him. The organization was instrumental in paying off Surrat’s mortgage and car.
David Glasscock works with Love Our Veterans. Surratt confided in Glasscock about needing home repairs, so he referred the veteran to Purple Heart Homes.
Purple Heart Homes is an organization dedicated to providing veterans with housing solutions. The organization works with local contractors to help with various housing projects. Although the organization is headquartered in Statesville, N.C., it has helped veterans across the nation.
Last spring, Surratt asked Purple Heart Homes to help him repair his roof.
Located on a rural road in Lincoln County, Surratt’s home was constructed in the 1950s. It has always been in his family, as the house itself was built by Surrat’s father, according to a Purple Heart Homes representative.