by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
Christmas came early for a Jacksonville family and the circumstances couldn’t be any better.
The Hamiltons consist of Lewis and Loyda and their five kids that include infant twins. They live in a small trailer and both are veterans and in college.
This Christmas will be special, though, thanks to the Shield Foundation which handed the Hamiltons the keys to their new house Tuesday at City Hall. And, the keys come without a mortgage.
“This is a blessing for my family and our future,” said Lewis Hamilton. “We are just very happy.”
Hamilton and his wife met while they were both serving in the Army and stationed in Korea. He’s from Alabama, but she’s from Jacksonville so after the military, they moved to Jacksonville. In February they will mark their 12th wedding anniversary.
Before that, however, they will move into their North Myrtle Avenue home. The house was donated by the Shield Foundation, which is based in Hickory, N.C.
Joe Dillard, director of community relations for the Shield Foundation, said the house was purchased with donated funds and then given to Shield.
“We are a pass-through foundation for funds and houses,” he said.” First, we find a family, then we give them a home. As we get better at this, the goal is to give a home to 50 veterans in the community. We didn’t know this home would be for someone that was in the military. It just kind of moved that way.”
Tuesday’s ceremony officially kicked off the Shield Foundation’s “Home for Vets” program. Taking place nationwide, the program combines the purchase of foreclosed homes, buyers willing to donate the homes — and they must be in good enough condition to refurbish — and eligible families. Dillard said there is no application process.
Here in Jacksonville, Dillard started the process in September by visiting the local Veterans Advisory Board where he explained what the folks from Shield were looking for. Dillard was given the names of several families and began the simple interview process that consisted of primarily face-to-face meetings.
“It just felt like this was the right family,” said Dillard. “On the drive back to North Carolina, by the time I got home we had worked out the logistics.”
Mayor John Peyton said the milestone enhances Jacksonville’s reputation as the most military friendly city in the country. He said keeping that image was a campaign pledge he made in 2003 and one he has worked hard to fulfill.
“The fact the Shield Foundation chose a family in Jacksonville is validation of that,” said Peyton. “We hope this is one of many good acts to happen in this city as pay tribute to those who gave their all for the country.”
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