JUPITER, Fla.-- A local hero an his family are just months away from moving into their forever home. On Monday, U.S Army Sgt Stefan LeRoy (Ret.) and his wife Katie met with future neighbors, sponsors and donors at the Walls of Honor Ceremony, hosted by the Gary Sinise Foundation.
“We want to officially welcome you to your forever home, welcome home buddy,” said Chris Kuban, Gary Sinise Foundation spokesman.
Under the organization's R.I.S.E program, their mission is to serve veterans, first responders, and their families by building a specially-adapted smart house for Sgt Leroy. “Were so excited to be part of this great community and we can’t to raise our girl here,” LeRoy said.
While on deployment in Afganistan in 2012 Stefan was struck by an explosion and lost both of his legs immediately. Now he’s getting ready to embark in his new roll as the father to a precious six-week old daughter in a home that will enable him to do everyday tasks.
“I can be able to roll into the bathroom in my wheelchair and actually give her a bath, I can’t do that in our apartment,” said LeRoy.
The family's future neighbors, donors, and sponsors had the opportunity grab a sharpie and write messages of gratitude on the walls of their soon to be forever home.
“It’s like the love is in the walls,” said LeRoy.
Exactly what their family needed. “Just the security and knowing that he will be safe...for him to be able to have mobility it will be amazing,” said Katie LeRoy, Stefan's wife.
The house, which is free of charge, should be move-in ready just in time for Christmas 2019.
Sponsors: Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment), along with donors: The Marcus Foundation, Home Depot Foundation, and Semper Fi Fund. Building partners include: Shubert Design Furniture, Nortek Security & Control, National Wood Flooring Association, National Tile Contractors Association, GE, Sunbelt Rentals, Benjamin Moore, National Association of Home Builders, North American Moving Services, MAPEI, Broan-NuTone, American Airines, Rheem, Natural Stone Institute, Dentons US LLP, Daltile and the general contractor, Groundstone Homes.