Flathead vet to get free home from nonprofit
Home is where the heart is, and one lucky Flathead veteran will get $180,000 worth of it for free. In January a group of Flathead County residents formed the first chapter of Operation Finally Home, a national nonprofit organization devoted to building mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans.
“The amazing thing is the need is there but we don’t know it because the veterans are prideful people,” Terry Kramer, chapter founder and owner of Kramer Enterprises, said. “They are not asking for the help, they are trying to do it on their own and I think that is part of their service mentality, that is who they are.”
Ground was broken last Monday and excavations began with hopes to have the foundation completed this week. If construction goes according to plan, a local veteran will have a new mortgage-free home by Thanksgiving or Christmas.
Once completed, they will have completed a $180,000 home for about $45,000 thanks to donated materials and labor. Terry estimated they’ve had about $80,000 in donated labor and $50-55,000 in materials.
Operation Finally Home originated in Texas in 2005 and has since branched out to 10 states and created 42 free homes for veterans. Flathead’s will bring that total to 43 as the first home in the state to be built through the organization.
Terry and his wife, Debbie, first learned about the organization three years ago at the International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. As parents of a disabled Iraq war veteran, they have first-hand experience with the struggles veterans face and this is what prompted them to get involved.
“What is unfortunate is the invisible wounds, the traumatic brain injuries, PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), it isn’t seen and there is a huge amount of that,” Terry said.
According to Terry and fellow board member Cherokee Merklinger, Montana has the most veterans per capita in the country and Flathead County has the highest in the state.
The local board currently consists of Tyler Frank as project manager, Chris Parsons, Debbie Kramer, Pat Thomas, and Cherokee Merklinger and has plans to grow in the future.
Once the local chapter formed they began work on acquiring funding, donations, supplies and permits for the piece of land at 145 Looking Glass Ave., Kalispell. However, they added one unique twist to Montana’s first Operation Finally Home project, everything in the house will be made in America, right down to the wires and sockets.
Kramer said it’s been difficult getting American-made lighting and Frank said they are having trouble getting lumber products, framing materials and siding.
“We have had a great response from the community in getting labor donations,” Frank said. “Every day something comes on my desk from people wanting to donate, and my day is made when someone wants to participate and get a disabled veteran a home.”
On Aug. 9 there was a fundraiser dinner and auction in Bigfork at Flathead Lake Lodge that raised about $26,000, or half of the necessary funds for building the house. J.R. Martinez was the keynote speaker. Merklinger estimated there were about 160 people at the fundraiser.
Frank said Flathead Cross-Fit’s three valley locations are hosting a “Fight Gone Bad” fundraiser on Sept. 11 where athletes gather pledges for the number of repetitions they do in a workout designed for UFC athletes.
To get involved with the “Fight Gone Bad” fundraiser, contact Frank at 314-3302.
Merklinger said the Marine Corps Birthday Ball on Nov. 17 at the Hilton in Kalispell will have a silent auction with the proceeds split between Operation Finally Home and Montana Wounded Warriors.
The Flathead chapter hopes to do at least one house each year for a local disabled veteran and wants to spread the organization to other parts of Montana as well.
“I think it is just the outdoor spirit and the patriotism here and that whole ‘who we are as a whole,’ wanting to serve,” Terry said. “When you look at the community and how big they have stepped up to help us, the construction industry is still in bad straights and contractors have stepped in and do things for free, it is amazing. We will build a $180,000 house and will only need $45,000 in cash to do it, that includes the permits we have to pay for. That is how big the community has stepped up.”
To get involved with Operation Finally Home, call their office at 257-0966 or email Terry at terry@keimontana.com. For more information, visit their website, www.operationfi nallyhome.org or go to the Flathead chapter’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/OFHFlatheadValley. Donations can be sent to the Flathead chapter’s main office at 102 Cooperative Way, suite 100, Kalispell, 59901.