Hillwood Communities has partnered with Operation FINALLY HOME, Plantation Homes and the Dallas Builders Association to surprise U.S. Army SPC Daniel Dumas and his family with a custom-built, mortgage-free home in the master-planned community of Union Park in Little Elm, Texas.
Leading up to the ground-breaking ceremony on Jan. 27, the Dumas family thought they were going through the preliminary interview process with Operation FINALLY HOME and the builder, Plantation Homes. As they were escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, the Dumas family, including Daniel, his wife Melissa and their young son, Luke were surprised with the lot where their future mortgage-free home will be built.
“Hillwood Communities is proud to partner with these incredible organizations by donating land for one our country’s heroes,” said Fred Balda, president of Hillwood Communities. “Specialist Dumas’ service is an inspiration to all of us at Hillwood Communities and having his family here at Union Park is a privilege.”
Daniel, who grew up in Vero Beach, Fla., joined the Army in 2009 as a medic, following his passion for helping people. Since retiring honorably from the Army in 2014, he has suffered from PTSD, back pain, knee pain and anxiety. For his time in the service, he has received many commendations including the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal and Combat Medical Badge.
Today, Daniel works as a claims adjuster for an insurance company, and attends college full-time to complete his degree in business administration. He and his wife, a home health nurse for special needs children, are proud parents to their three year-old son.
“This is a small contribution to Specialist Dumas, who dedicated his life to protecting us,” said Ross Perot Jr., chairman of Hillwood. “We are honored to welcome him into the Union Park family.”
Union Park is a 1,100-acre master planned community, in Little Elm along the U.S. Highway 380 corridor. With the primary objective of preserving the beautiful Texas landscape, the foundation of the community is a 35-acre park with open greenbelts and natural ponds. A total of 3,200 single-family homes are planned, along with walking trails, beautiful amenities including a food truck park.
About Hillwood
Hillwood, a Perot company, is a premier commercial and residential real estate developer, investor and advisor of properties throughout North America and Europe. With a diverse portfolio of properties and home to many of the world’s leading companies, Hillwood is committed to bringing long-term value to our customers, partners and the communities we serve.
Through its Communities division, Hillwood has delivered more than 25,000 single-family lots in 80 master-planned communities that continue to raise the bar in terms of quality, innovation, and the unmistakable sense of community that sets each property apart. Before laying the physical groundwork for any new residential development, Hillwood Communities takes the time to focus on the ideals that draw people together — and the everyday interactions that strengthen those bonds. By purposefully designing its walkways, gathering spaces, and structural amenities to spark spontaneous encounters and foster shared interests, Hillwood Communities creates community in every sense. For more information, please visit www.hillwoodcommunities.com.
About Operation FINALLY HOME
Based in New Braunfels, Texas, Operation FINALLY HOME was established in 2005 as a nonpartisan/nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The mission of Operation FINALLY HOME is to provide homes and home modifications to America’s military Heroes and the widows of the fallen who have sacrificed so much to defend our freedoms and values. Operation FINALLY HOME partners with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, remodelers, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help these Heroes and their families by addressing one of their most pressing needs – a place to call home. To find out more, visit OperationFinallyHome.org.
About Plantation Homes
Plantation Homes is an integral part of a group of companies including Coventry Homes and McGuyer Homebuilders, Inc. The original founders continue to manage the company, leading a team of top professionals in architecture, construction, land, finance and customer service. Plantation Homes has won numerous local and state awards for best product design and has been building in Texas going on 30 years, with current programs in Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. For more information, visit www.plantationhomes.com.
Dallas Builders Association
The Dallas Builders Association, chartered in 1944, is a trade association representing all segments of the residential building industry in the Dallas Metropolitan area. Its mission is to enhance its members’ ability to provide safe, affordable, quality housing to the citizens of the local communities.
