Military Family Receives Mortgage-Free Home

Thanks to the generosity of the building community in Wisconsin, spearheaded by David Belman of Belman Homes, a deserving military veteran will have a mortgage-free home this year.

U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Cappo joined the military driven to serve his country and support a future family. While serving in Afghanistan, he severely injured his back, leaving him permanently disabled. He medically retired, and his wife become a full-time caretaker while raising their two young sons. A few months ago, the Cappo family learned that they were selected by Operation Finally Home (OFH) to receive a custom-built, mortgage-free home.

“I was so surprised. I felt like a huge weight was lifted off me…things like this do not happen to me,” Sgt. Cappo told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Cappo family home was held in November.

Operation Finally Home, a Texas-based non-profit that provides homes and home modifications to military heroes, selected the Cappo family and is partnering with Belman Homes to complete the project. This is one of several homes built under Belman’s leadership as a OFH partner.

Belman learned about OFH at an International Builders' Show. He vividly recalls the story of a veteran who lost his legs in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast and who had a family to support: “I could not believe veterans were not getting the help they needed…it really opened my eyes.” Belman knew he had to get involved with the organization.

Building a home for a veteran does take time, especially finding the right lot, says Belman. OFH builders commit to donating labor and materials. Belman works with local tradesman, subcontractors, suppliers, manufactures and other partners to work on each home. The Cappo family home will be completed this year.

Even with the challenge of soliciting donations and coordinating the project, Belman encourages other builders to get involved. “It takes time and effort, but you are changing someone’s life,” he noted. “As a builder that's what we do. We build communities… and no one is more deserving.”

For more insights on building homes for veterans, view the Belman Homes video.