A local veteran is getting his first home to call his own, thanks to Manatee County Habitat for Humanity.
On Tuesday afternoon, Juan Carlos Garcia and his family gathered with a group of volunteers for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future home in Palmetto.
This is the first time the group will build a home for a veteran in Manatee County.
Garcia said he’s beyond grateful.
“It’s like a dream come true,” he said. “This is an American dream. Honestly, ever since I left the Army, I’ve been trying to get my own place. And thank God, now we actually are.”
Construction begins immediately on the four-bedroom home and is expected to be completed in October 2015.
Garcia and his family qualified for Manatee Habitat’s homebuyer program, making them eligible for a no-interest mortgage from Habitat to purchase the home upon its completion.
Garcia served as a sergeant in the Army as Armor Unit for 10 and a half years and was stationed in Kuwait, South Korea and Germany and was also deployed to Iraq for 13 months.
In addition to working full time, Garcia recently completed his associates of science degree from State College of Florida and is working on completing his associates of art degree. He plans to continue his education at USF and earn a bachelors degree in criminology.
Veterans groups, local corporations and Habitat supporters pledged both financial and volunteer support for the project. To date, more than $40,000 has been raised for the construction of the home.
Additional donations for the Veteran Build can be made to Manatee Habitat at 4105 Cortez Road W., Bradenton or through the website www.manateehabitat.org.