Finding Solutions: Volunteers build new home in Evans for disabled veteran

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - A local veteran is getting a new home, thanks to the nonprofit, A Soldier’s Journey Home, and we got a sneak peek on Thursday.

Each year, the organization comes together to build a home in only two weeks for a worthy veteran. This year, that worthy veteran lives in Evans.

The 120-person volunteer team is constructing a custom, mortgage-free home that’s more than 2,700 square feet with three bedrooms and 3½ bathrooms.

This is a sneak peek before the official unveiling ceremony takes place Saturday.

This custom home is for retired Sergeant First Class David Mathis, a combat veteran and double amputee.

“He sacrificed for us, so this is my way of giving back, and I think that’s important,” said Roy Wright, volunteer.

Wright started volunteering with a soldier’s journey home nearly four years ago, helping build a home in Maine.

“It’s amazing to sit back and watch all these guys and girls come together to do this and in such a short period of time for such a great cause,” said Wright.

Because of donors, this mission is possible.

The organization started in the aftermath of 911 as a way for a group of New York firefighters to give back, ing disaster relief projects.

It’s since grown nationwide and is now devoted to building mortgage-free homes specially adapted for veterans with disabilities.

“There’s a team that plans this, and it takes a whole entire year to put this together. We come into the community and speak to construction leads and try to get in-kind donations with a lot of materials, a lot of effort goes into the pre-build,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, president, A Soldier’s Journey Home.

120 volunteers from across 25 states have been busy at work building the home for the past two weeks.

It’s a project that was completed in 14 days, and Mr. Mathis’s home will be the 11th that the group has built.

“It’s crazy because I do construction for a living anyway, but then you see this amount of work in two weeks and all these guys together and you don’t hear arguing and it goes together so smooth,” said Jamie Lansing, volunteer from Ohio.

The organization actually sat down with Mathis before construction started to get his thoughts on what’s taking place.

“I never expected this, not at all, and then with all the people volunteering to do this for free, that makes it even better,” said Mathis.

Come Saturday, he and his family will be walking into what will be their new forever.

The group has built homes in a number of states.

They pick a location and build one each year.

MORE FROM NEWS 12

Finding Solutions: Hope for the community

1. Group rolling out 2nd mobile laundry for homeless
2. Columbia County foundation sees ‘a huge need for children’
3. Senior citizens volunteering to tutor local students
4. Local group makes flowers for everyone
5. 2 groups partner to help people with medical equipment
6. Steps of Grace gives children with special needs a place to dance
7. Goodwill expands locations for you to donate

COMING UP

Helping veterans: Another group needs volunteers

1. There will be a similar effort in Lincolnton for another severely injured veteran, organized by another nonprofit called Homes For Our Troops. You’re invited to volunteer with landscaping at the future adapted home for Army Capt. Joseph Caley. The event will be held June 7 at 1018 Cross Creek Way in Lincolnton, with check-in at 8:30. To learn more about the group, visit www.hfotusa.org.

Each build draws more than 100 volunteers from across the nation, according to the organization.

The group has built homes for disabled veterans in Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, Texas, Ohio, Maine, Kentucky, North Carolina and Louisiana.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.