Sunday, May 5, 2024
A recently formed nonprofit organization has put together its first event, which will benefit military veterans.
The Operation Support A Hero Shootout will take place from 3-10 p.m. on Saturday, June 11, at True Grit Ranch, 6810 Old Granbury Road. All of the proceeds raised will be donated to Building Homes for Heroes, a national nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free homes for disabled veterans.
Founded by husband-and-wife duo Jason and Chanel Lanzara earlier this year, Operation Support A Hero is a new local nonprofit organization dedicated to raising money for heroes, including police officers, firefighters, veterans or an entire organization.
“We knew that we wanted to give back. We knew that we felt called to give back, and we were trying to figure out how, and why,” Jason said. “Then we decided on the hero part. We wanted a community hero, whether it's fire, police, military, somebody that serves at Goodwill or Red Cross.”
“A hero is not limited; it's across the board,” Chanel said. “This particular year though, all of the proceeds are going to Building Homes for Heroes.”
According to the Building Homes for Heroes website, the nonprofit organization was formed after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. More than 255 homes have been given to injured veterans by the end of 2020 — with nearly one home given every 11 days on average.
“They donate homes to those veterans and after they move in, they provide financial counseling to the veterans,” Jason said, on the Building Homes for Heroes organization. “Some of these folks don't have a home or they're renting so they're not used to paying taxes, so these financial advisors will help them over the years with maintaining their budget and helping them keep the house because there's more to it than just getting the house — it is another battle. It's a great organization and 97% of the money they take in, goes back out into the benefit and that's a big deal. Not many charities do that.”
The event will include a Bubble Bus open bar, clay pigeon target shooting and a pop-up market.
“A lot of oil field companies do clay shoots for different organizations, and they don't really have anything for the women so the women are like, ‘Oh, I'm so excited to come and actually get to do something and not have to sit at home,’” Chanel said, with a chuckle.
Brock’s Food & Drink will be catering the event and live music will be provided by the Royal Dukes Band. The event will include a live auction, raffles and door prizes.
Two recipients of the Building Homes for Heroes will be attending as well, telling their story.
RECIPIENTS OF BUILDING HOMES FOR HEROES
U.S. Army specialist Michael Villagran received a mortgage-free home in Houston in 2018.
In 2012, Villagran and his team were setting up an operation post in an abandoned building in Afghanistan. While conducting a search on the roof, Villagran stepped on a bomb located inside one of the rooms. He was urgently transported to multiple hospitals before arriving in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
After four years of multiple surgeries since the accident, doctors told Villagran there was nothing else they could do to save his leg. In June 2016, his right leg was amputated below the knee.
For his service to our country, Villagran has been awarded the Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two Campaign Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Parachutist Badge.
Army Sergeant David Speights spent six years in the military before being medically discharged in 2011.
While on a mission in Afghanistan in 2006, an RPG had impacted a few feet away from where Speights was standing. Due to the impact, he was thrown back into a sandbag wall, causing him to be briefly knocked unconscious. After regaining consciousness, he was able to get up and continue with the mission. However, he had to ask the same person multiple times what had happened, as he had no memory of the incident or for half of that day. He was experiencing the effects of a traumatic brain injury.
He continues to suffer from his TBI, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, herniated discs in his back and permanent nerve damage in his legs.
Speights is the recipient of the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, NATO Afghanistan Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (third award), Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (second award) and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
Speights and his family will be receiving a mortgage-free home in Dallas.
At the end of the event, Speights and Villagran will receive a big check, detailing how much was raised for Building Homes for Heroes.
Tickets for the benefit are $150 and can be purchased at the event or on Eventbrite online by searching “Building Homes for Heroes Shootout.”
“Hopefully we can get more folks out there because the more people we get out there, the more money we can raise for the event,” Jason added.
Chanel added, “It's more about what we're doing, and having people come out and support a good cause, so we're excited to do it.”
