Builders Care specializes in helping people put their lives back together.
Every Builders Care client has a story. And each story has a hero. Often more than one.
This is such a story.
Chris Natto, a native of St. Augustine, wanted to do something important with his life.
Shortly after graduating from high school, Natto joined the U.S. Marine Corps with the goal of becoming a Recon Marine. He worked hard and earned that title.
In 2014, he reconnected with Sydney, a former girlfriend. The flame was reignited and they were married. Soon a baby boy was born into the young family.
Natto had it all. A job he loved, a wife and young son he loved even more.
In February 2016, the young family’s life changed dramatically and tragically.
On a routine training mission, Natto and nine men who jumped out of the aircraft had been dropped past the target.
Natto landed in the trees and fell through a tree to the ground. His injuries were devastating.
“He had two surgeries,” Sydney Natto said. “Both surgeries were successful, but Chris was left paralyzed from the chest down due to the impact on his spinal cord.
“His spinal cord was not severed, which leaves hope that one day he will gain back some lower body movement and maybe even walk again,” she said.
Bruce Peters, a family friend and former Builders Care board member, brought the young couple to a recent board meeting.
They are living at the Veterans Administration hospital and their son Rhett is living with grandparents. Peters wanted to help them find a home.
After hearing their story, Matt Devereaux of Lennar Homes, answered the call.
Lennar Homes will build the family a home.
Devereaux is quick to credit Lennar’s highly valued trade partners who eagerly joined in the effort by donating materials, labor, service and other contributions.
“I cannot thank Lennar enough for answering the prayers of the Natto family,” said Justin Brown, Builders Care executive director.
“This is a prime example of how Builders Care, while being small, can achieve great things for people in need because of our membership,” he continued. “The power of Builders Care is in our name, Northeast Florida Builders Association Builders Care, and the 1,250 generous and caring NEFBA members who make up this amazing association.”
There are many heroes in this story.
Certainly Chris Natto is the true hero.
Others have become heroes in their own right as they have supported him and are working to restore Natto to his family and life — his wife Sydney, Bruce Peters, Lennar Homes, Matt Devereaux and NEFBA Builders Care.
For more information and to be part of this project, call Builders Care at (904) 727-3443.
To make a donation, go to www.BuildersCare.org, and click on “donation” or make your check payable to Builders Care with the notation, “Veterans Support.”
The Natto family will receive 100 percent of these donations.