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South Plains EC News

Homes for Heroes

Local hero Michael Vasquez and family to receive mortgage-free home

In 2010, the West Texas Home Builders Association established the non-profit organization West Texas Hero Homes.

The mission of this charity is to take care of our returning military and first responders who have sacrificed so much for our freedom by providing mortgage-free homes to disabled heroes and their families in the Lubbock area. Proceeds from the annual Parade of Homes and the Home and Garden Show go toward the building of these homes.

This year, the organization’s sixth home was built for local hero Michael Vasquez and his family. To date, this is the largest home built for the project.

South Plains Electric Cooperative

Since May, we have been following the progress of the home being built for the Vasquez family through the West Texas Hero Homes program.

Vasquez, a graduate of Estacado High School, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2005. He served as an infantry machine gunner in Iraq and Afghanistan from 2007-2009. Vasquez was injured in the line of duty and underwent several years of medical treatment.

Among his many other military awards, Vasquez received the Bronze Star with Valor and Purple Heart for his service to the United States of America.

The lot where the Vasquez home is located was donated to the West Texas Hero Homes project two years ago.

July 2018

Dan Wilson Homes served as the lead builder of this project and was proud to do so.

“This home is a huge blessing to the Vasquez family. The home is a custom plan, built around what the Vasquez family needs for space and mobility purposes,” Wilson said. “For all of us who work in this industry, it’s what you call giving back to the same industry. You can never give back more than what will be given to you.”

Along with Dan Wilson, Cooper Downer served as the superintendent and Lisa Fairbanks served as the interior designer on this project. Both are employed by Dan Wilson Homes.

“It is exciting to give back to someone who fought for our freedom; we couldn’t be doing this without what he did for us,” Fairbanks said.

Whether donating their time, money or materials, contractors, vendors and community members all came together to make this project a success. Everything is organized through the WTHBA.

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“When we build these projects, it is an association-wide effort where multiple builders take on certain aspects of the house,” said Gena

Godinez, WTHBA executive officer. “I am always amazed by the generosity of our members and the Lubbock community.”

Vasquez shared how much this home means to him and his family. “Having a place to call home forever, and to be able to move around my home is a huge blessing. It is an honor to be selected.”

After six months of construction, the Vasquez family is finally able to move in and start making this house a home.

The final reveal and key ceremony took place on November 8.

South Plains Electric Cooperative

Builders, contractors and community members all gathered inside the Vasquez home to see the finished product and honor the Vasquez family for their service.

“To anyone who helped, I can’t say thank you enough. I hope you are blessed back 10 times more than we have been,” Vasquez said.

South Plains Electric Cooperative provided the electricity during the construction phase and will continue to serve the Vasquez home.

To learn more about the West Texas Hero Homes project, visit westtexasherohomes.org.