Press Release | 9/9/2017

Hillwood Communities, Building Homes for Heroes and Highland Homes honors Purple Heart Veteran with a Home in Northlake, Texas

Hillwood Communities partnered with Building Homes for Heroes and Highland Homes to honor Army Sgt. and Purple Heart recipient Kody Wilson and his family with a home at Harvest, Hillwood Communities’ master-planned community in Northlake, Texas. Today’s ceremony celebrated Sgt. Wilson’s service in the U.S. Army and unveiled his family’s new home.

Sgt. Wilson, who enlisted in 2005, was inspired to serve his country by his grandfather, a Korean War veteran. In Iraq in 2008, Sgt. Wilson’s platoon hit an IED that fractured his heel bone, elbow, femur, spine and left leg, which had to be amputated. Today, Sgt. Wilson suffers from anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and hearing loss. 

“Hillwood Communities is proud to partner with Building Homes for Heroes and Highland Homes by donating land and developing homes for our country’s greatest heroes,” said Fred Balda, president of Hillwood Communities. “Sgt. Wilson’s service is an inspiration to all of us at Hillwood Communities and having the Wilson family here at Harvest is a privilege.”

Hillwood Communities began its partnership in July 2016 with Building Homes for Heroes, one of the nation’s fastest growing and most efficiently run veterans’ charities. The organization provides wounded warriors with financial, family and emergency support in addition to mortgage-free housing complete with home modifications and further services that help them along the road to recovery. The donations for Sgt. Wilson’s home exceeded all past projects in North Texas for the organization.

This is the second home donated in Harvest. Army Sgt. First Class Randy Nantz, who joined the Army at age 33 and went on to become a Green Beret, received his home in March 2017.

“It is a great honor to be able to serve these veterans and their families,” said Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood. “This is a small contribution to Sgt. Wilson who was ready to give up his livelihood to protect us.”

Six other Purple Heart recipients attended the event honoring Sgt. Wilson and his family, where they received the keys to their home. During the ceremony, Leslie M. “Jack” Tolbert, a 99-year-old WWII veteran, performed a flyover in a Piper Cherokee 140 airplane, and Kenny Robinson performed “Hero,” a song he wrote in tribute to the military service men and women.

To kick off the ceremony, the University of North Texas Army ROTC Color Guard led a procession through Harvest along with Fort Worth Scottish Pipes & Drums, Patriot Guard Riders, the Argyle Fire Department and the Northlake Police Department.

About Hillwood

Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world’s leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners and the communities we serve. 

Through its Communities division, Hillwood has delivered more than 25,000 single-family lots in 80 master-planned communities that continue to raise the bar in terms of quality, innovation, and the unmistakable sense of community that sets each property apart. Before laying the physical groundwork for any new residential development, Hillwood Communities takes the time to focus on the ideals that draw people together — and the everyday interactions that strengthen those bonds. By purposefully designing its walkways, gathering spaces, and structural amenities to spark spontaneous encounters and foster shared interests, Hillwood Communities creates community in every sense. For more information, please visit www.hillwoodcommunities.com.

About Building Homes for Heroes

Counting 10 consecutive years of record-setting growth, Building Homes for Heroes® builds and gifts mortgage-free homes, and completes home modifications, for veterans and their families, and provides further services along their road to recovery to help them live a promising and fulfilling life ahead. The organization is strongly committed to rebuilding lives and supporting the brave men and women who were injured while serving the country after September 11, 2001, during the time of the wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. After gifting 28 homes in 2015, Building Homes for Heroes® gifted 29 homes in 2016, including its milestone 100th overall home in November. The organization has its sights set on gifting as many as 36 homes in 2017, equal to one mortgage-free home every 10 days. It’s our honor to support the men and women who have loyally and courageously served our country. To learn more about the organization, visit www.buildinghomesforheroes.org.