As Americans, we are blessed to have so many heroes in our lives. From the soldiers defending our nation to the teachers molding our youth, there are a lot of people helping us grow strong and stay safe as a community. Have you ever wondered who is helping them?
On October 18th, 2016, Jim McKinnies of Homes for Heroes held a ribbon cutting ceremony at the La Porte Fire Station to solidify his company’s commitment to the heroes of the city. His real estate business was designed with giving back in mind. They help homeowners with a civic duty background purchase and sell homes, and they give out monthly awards to nominees who have gone above and beyond even their organization’s higher set of standards.
“Hero of the Month is the whole point of the project,” said McKinnies. “Our passion is not buying and selling houses. It’s helping heroes. 99% of them say ‘I’m no hero.’ We want to show them that, well, there is a whole community that thinks you are.”
October’s winner was surprised with a plaque and a gift card just before the ribbon cutting.
Erik Sabie, a La Porte firefighter, is the coordinator of the EDITH project, which teaches children and parents the right actions to take during a fire. He is also chairman of the Rock the Park fest.
“He is very active,” said Fire Chief Andrew Snyder. “The whole mindset ties into what Homes for Heroes is all about. They have jumped in and participate in any events they can. Erik is there for all of them too.”
“I never ask for anything in return, so I was surprised,” said Sabie.
He suspected something was up when his family, and no one else’s, showed up for a ribbon cutting ceremony. That he might be receiving an award never crossed his mind.
“I try to put others first,” he said. “That’s just the kind of person I am.”
That is the exact kind of person McKinnies wants to recognize and support through his real estate agency. Homes for Heroes makes the home buying process easy. They are with their Heroes every step of the way, and they connect them with other program partners that can provide additional benefits.
Homes for Heroes has contracting partners that offer discounts, lenders to help them secure loans, and even a carpet cleaning company that comes in to do the house for free. 175 people have been saved $200,000 by using Homes for Heroes’ program.
“Those are things that make you feel welcome to the community,” said Ed Marshall of the U.S. Army. He recently purchased a new home with McKinnie’s help. “Homes for Heroes is a good program. They make you part of the team, they make you part of the family. You aren’t a number.”