Building Homes for Heroes: Veteran Gets Mortgage-Free East Haven Home

From the Office of East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora:

EAST HAVEN, CT - In commemoration of Memorial Day, the retired Army Spc. Evan Marcy, a courageous Purple Heart recipient who lost his left leg in combat in Afghanistan, is set to receive a mortgage-free home from Building Homes for Heroes. Today, we are proud to announce this heartwarming initiative at a special ceremony held in collaboration with the FDNY 343 Ride, a group that honors the memory of the 343 firefighters who perished in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The event took place at the Engine 50, Ladder 19, Battalion 26 stationhouse in the Bronx, New York.

On September 9, we will present the custom house to Evan Marcy here in East Haven, Connecticut.
This extraordinary home, generously gifted by Building Homes for Heroes, marks their 343rd home presentation, paying tribute to the brave firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day. Evan's father, an FDNY firefighter, selflessly served as a first responder during the search-and- rescue efforts at Ground Zero for nearly a month.

Evan Marcy, accompanied by members of the FDNY 343 Ride, attended the announcement event.
He expressed his gratitude, stating, "I am incredibly honored to be chosen as the 343rd recipient of a Building Homes for Heroes home. This gift not only recognizes my father's legacy as an FDNY
firefighter but also serves as a profound tribute to the courageous heroes we have lost. I am proud
to be a part of this exceptional ceremony."

East Haven Mayor Joseph A. Carfora remarked. “Evan, I can’t tell you how excited we are to have
you join the East Haven community. We have been blessed with the opportunity to welcome a true
hero, Evan’s incredible journey of bravery and selflessness serves as an inspiration to us all.”
At the age of 39, Evan joined the Army after graduating high school and served as a combat
photographer for five years. In 2009, during a firefight in Afghanistan, he was injured by shots fired from a helicopter while taking position on a mountain alongside another soldier. Due to his injuries, Evan underwent the amputation of his left leg above the knee. Medically discharged in 2011, he relocated to New York and eventually earned a bachelor's degree from Sarah Lawrence College.

Currently residing in New Orleans, Evan works as a military training video contractor. In
recognition of his dedicated service, Evan Marcy has been awarded the Purple Heart, Joint Service
Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, Army Superior Unit Award,
and many more prestigious honors.

“As Mayor of East Haven, I assure you that our community will rally around Evan and his family, providing them with a warm and supportive environment as they begin this new chapter in their lives. September 9th we will welcome Evan with open arms, expressing our heartfelt appreciation for his sacrifice and unwavering dedication to our country."

The establishment of Building Homes for Heroes traces back to the tragic events of 9/11. Inspired by his firsthand experiences as a search-and-rescue volunteer, New York business executive Andy Pujol established this nonprofit organization with the aim of assisting severely injured veterans and their families. Recently, the home benefits program has been extended to support police officers, firefighters, and first responders.

Reflecting on the noble mission of Building Homes for Heroes, Pujol said, "I have
personally witnessed the significance of supporting our heroes, and that is the driving force behind our work. It is an honor for us to stand with Evan and show our gratitude for his service and sacrifice. We hope that this gift serves as a small token of appreciation as he continues to build a brighter future."

The FDNY Ride has raised over $1.2 million in support of injured veterans. In September, the
cycling event will commence at the Connecticut State 9/11 Memorial in Sherwood Island State Park
and culminate in a home-gifting ceremony for Evan Marcy right here in East Haven.

Former FDNY Capt. Mike Alexander, the organizer of the FDNY Ride, remarked, "We are proud
to stand beside Evan and his family. As fellow first responders, we deeply understand the sacrifices made by our military, and we are privileged to contribute to making a difference in their lives."

He further mentioned that Evan's father, Duane, began his career at the very Bronx stationhouse where the announcement ceremony took place.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to JPMorgan Chase for their generous contribution to Evan's
future. The home that Evan Marcy will receive is a donation from JPMorgan Chase's Military Home Awards Program. Since 2011, JPMorgan Chase has collaborated with various nonprofits, including Building Homes for Heroes, to donate more than 1,050 mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families.

About Building Homes for Heroes: Building Homes for Heroes is an organization dedicated to
constructing and gifting mortgage-free homes, as well as completing home modifications, for
veterans, emergency first responders, and their families. The organization offers additional services to support their journey towards recovery and ensure they can lead promising and fulfilling lives.

Building Homes for Heroes achieved a remarkable program rating of 95.19% in 2021, marking the
tenth consecutive year with a program rating of at least 93%. Additionally, it has received a perfect
4-star rating from Charity Navigator for six consecutive years, including a 100% rating for
transparency and accountability. For more information, please visit buildinghomesforheroes.org.
JPMorgan Chase's Commitment to Service Members and Veterans: JPMorgan Chase has been
supporting our veterans since before World War I. Through its Military & Veterans Affairs division,
established in 2011, JPMorgan Chase provides programs and initiatives aimed at positioning military members, veterans, and their families for long-term personal and financial success. To date, the firm has hired over 18,000 veterans, facilitated more than 880,000 veteran hires through the Veteran Jobs Mission coalition, awarded more than 1,050 mortgage-free homes to military families in need, and helped nearly 50,000 participants enroll in Onward to Opportunity, a free career training program offered by the Institute for Veterans and Military Families, co-founded and supported by JPMorgan Chase and Syracuse University. Learn more at jpmorganchase.com/veterans.