Stewart Title Guaranty Company will be featured on an upcoming Christmas-themed episode of ABC television’s popular “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (EM: HE) airing Sunday, Dec. 17 at 8 p.m. EST. The company participated with host Ty Pennington, a team of designers and HelpingaHero.org to build a custom home for a wounded U.S. Army veteran.
Through Stewart’s philanthropic program, Community of Sharing™, more than 1,900 associates of Stewart Title Guaranty Company’s independent agency network participated to raise more than $42,000, exceeding Stewart’s $35,000 donation goal, to help make home ownership in Floresville, TX possible for one wounded veteran, Staff Sergeant Shilo Harris, USA (Ret.).
As part of its contribution to the effort, Stewart Title also coordinated a mortgage payoff and clear title for Harris’ previous home. In addition, HelpingaHero.org and EM: HE hosted a VIP fundraiser which raised more than $1.1 million. Funds were used to pay off the mortgage on the Harris family’s new dream home and support 10 additional homebuilding projects to be undertaken by HelpingaHero.org in 2012.
“Stewart Title is proud to have worked side-by-side with our network of independent title agencies, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HelpingaHero.org to help support our wounded veterans who have given so much to this country,” says George Houghton, Stewart’s group president, agency operations. “It’s always rewarding to help families get into their adapted dream homes, and it was especially so in this case as evidenced by the tremendous outpouring of support from our independent agencies who were inspired by our heroes.”
Harris, a third generation Army veteran, was severely injured in Iraq when an explosive device hit his truck and burned more than 40 percent of his body. Even after numerous surgeries and an extensive recovery time, Harris continues to have issues with regulating his body temperature and breathing that were difficult to contend with in the mobile home he shared with his wife and children. The new home features an air filtration and conditioning system which will help ease his health challenges due to his extensive burns.
“As a Gold Star Dad, this project is very near and dear to me,” Houghton continues. “I am glad that we are able to help in some way those who have so valiantly served our country.”
The episode concludes the heart-tugging series’ four-episode return to ABC and features appearances by J.R. Martinez of “Dancing with the Stars” and “All My Children,” and country music superstar Lee Greenwood, who performs “God Bless the USA.”
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