West Texas Hero Homes

In 2010, the West Texas Home Builders Association made the decision to begin honoring local heroes and their families by giving mortgage-free homes.

The WTHBA established a non-profit organization called West Texas Hero Homes, where homes would be built and gifted to heroes in the Lubbock community. The mission of this charity is to take care of 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 seventh home will be built for Russell Snodgrass and his family.

Snodgrass joined the Navy in 2000 and was in Japan for training when he learned of the 9/11 attacks. His training progressed quickly, and he was injured while fast-roping from a helicopter. Snodgrass worked through his injury and was deployed to Iraq, where he was a part of the initial invasion called Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, an assault vehicle near him was struck, and he was knocked unconscious from the blast. This event reinjured his back and was the initial cause of his traumatic brain injury.

In 2005, after five and a half years of serving in the Navy, Snodgrass was medically discharged with honor. He is now partially paralyzed from his back injury, which continues to deteriorate.

The lot where the Snodgrass home will be located is in Escondido Ranch and was donated by Trey Strong and Robert Wood. Robert Wood and Chad Tarver are serving as the lead builders of this project. South Plains Electric Cooperative will provide service to the Snodgrass home. Construction began in April.

This year, West Texas Hero Homes is partnering with H-E-B for the first time. H-E-B has made a substantial donation to the project and has committed to completely furnish the home.

“We could not do what we do without the generous support of the members of the West Texas Home Builders Association,” Gena Godinez said, WTHBA executive officer. “We already have commitments for concrete, HVAC systems, flooring, fencing and more, all donated by suppliers.” Godinez said.

Make sure to follow along with us over the next six months and watch the progress of this home.

July Update

The four bedroom, three bath, fully handicap-accessible home is scheduled to be completed in October. The progress is moving along and the foundation has been poured. Next up is framing the house.

Robert Wood and Chad Tarver with Platinum Homes are serving as the lead builders for this home. Platinum Homes has been in business since 2018, and Robert Wood is a founding member of the West Texas Hero Home organization.

“These projects bring together many competitors for a great cause,” Wood said. “We include new and old contractors, and the comradery that comes along with that makes the projects successful.”

August Update

The Snodgrass home has made great progress. On June 25, WTHBA and West Texas Hero Homes hosted a Notes of Love event where builders, contractors, community members, and loved ones shared words of respect and gratitude to the Snodgrass family before dry wall was installed. “Lubbock is a giving community and if you doubt that, just hang out with us during one of these projects,” Stewart Townsen, West Texas Hero Home president said. “Numerous people come up with money, supplies and labor to make this home happen.”

Work continues on the Snodgrass home.

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September Update

The Snodgrass home continues to make progress. Robert Wood said that the home is right on track and that installing cabinets and trim throughout the house is up next on the schedule.

During the Notes of Love event on June 25, Snodgrass expressed his heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been involved in the project. “Because of you, my family can finally have the home they deserve,” Snodgrass said.

Work is progressing on the interior of the home.

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October Update

The Snodgrass home continues to be on schedule. The interior of the home has made great progress. The sheetrock has been installed and is being textured. Cabinets are getting ready to be installed.

Russell and Ashley Snodgrass are humbled to be the recipients of this home. “It means everything to us,” Ashley Snodgrass said. “With the uncertainty of life and Russell’s injuries, this is going to be a place for our children to always call home and a way for us to manage Russell’s injuries.”