______________
UNIONDALE _____________
HERALD BEACON
Supporting the LOCAL Act
County honors firefighters
Page 2
Page 7 $1.00 FREE
APRIL 3 - 9, 2025
Honoring Our Heroes 5K set for April 12 a single veteran. David Weingrad, director of communications for Building Building Homes for Heroes, Homes for Heroes, said it a nonprofit dedicated to provid- wasn’t until 2012 when the ing mortgage-free homes for organization started to get injured veterans, first respond- more national recognition, ers, and their families, will host after partnering with larger corporations, allowa 5K Walk/Run at ing the nonprofit to Eisenhower Park build 25 to 30 homes this spring. T he a y e a r. O v e r a Long Island-based decade later, the organization, which organization celehas established brated a significant itself as a g roup milestone in 2024, with a significant when it completed national reach, is and gifted its 400th hoping to raise home to a veteran. funds and spread “In the last few awareness for its years, we’ve actualmission and cause. ly reached 40 The nonprofit’s homes a year, and origins trace back DANIEL we have a lofty goal to the Sept. 11 to reach as many as attacks at the World HERNANDEz 5 0 t h i s ye a r, i n Trade Center. Build- Marine Corps veteran 2 0 2 5 , ” We i n g r a d ing Homes for s a i d . “ We b u i l d Heroes’ founder Andy Pujol, a businessman and homes, we modify homes, all philanthropist, volunteered in free for the veteran. It’s our way search and rescue efforts at of saying thank you to the serGround Zero. As the U.S. vicemen and women.” The org anization’s work responded overseas, Pujol wanted to find a way to support extends beyond the gift of a wounded veterans returning home, however. “The struggles don’t end from service. Building Homes for Heroes was born with the when they complete their hope of gifting a single home to ConTinUed on pAGe 3
By JORDAN VALLONE
jvallone@liherald.com
I
Photos courtesy Building Homes for Heroes
Veterans have been given homes across the country by Building Homes for Heroes. Above, U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. George Vera entering his home in Tampa, given to him by the nonprofit.
Building Homes for Heroes hopes to increase its visibility on Long island with its upcoming 5K run/walk. The nonprofit has touched the Merrick community, where U.S. Marine Cpl. Kevin Vaughan, center, embraced Andy pujol, the founder and chief executive of Building Homes for Heroes, at Vaughan’s home ceremony.
want the community to know that we exist, and I know that Long Island likes to support their veterans.