SPENCERVILLE — A Celina couple with a soft spot in their hearts for veterans have tugged at the heart strings of others with a similar affinity to help those who serve the country find affordable housing.
Homer and Carol Burnett started Lots for Soldiers two years ago as a way to provide lots for veterans to build houses on, usually at a reduced cost. One house has been built so far and four other lots awarded to veterans who are in the process of getting funding for construction, Homer Burnett said.
“Coming out of the Vietnam era, I’ve always been sensitive on how we treat our veterans after their service,” said Barnett, who is a Vietnam War veteran.
On Saturday, four lots in Spencerville were given away. The property owners are Joshua and Heather Stapleton, of Spencerville, and John and Danielle Crider, formerly of Spencerville.
“This was just good time,” Heather Stapleton said explaining she and her husband bought the land about 10 years ago with the plan to build their dream home.
Then the economy crashed, the couple struggled like everyone else at the time and never got a chance to start construction. Meanwhile, they built their life in another house.
“It just didn’t happen. We just didn’t have the money for it,” she said.
She heard about the Lots for Soldiers program and contacted the Burnetts.
“We saw how passionate they are about this program and how much work they put into it,” said Stapleton, who is a veteran.
She said property they owned is going to a good cause and she no longer has to pay taxes on it.
“All this money was going to something we didn’t have any use for,” Stapleton said.
The lots have been in villages or cities that include Spencerville, Celina, Rockford and St. Marys, since building in the country and maintaining property is more expensive, Burnett said.
“It wouldn’t cost us anything but it would cost the veteran a lot more,” he said.
Construction of the house is similar to the Habitat for Humanity program, which seeks donated or reduced cost materials, help building from community members and the owner, Burnett said.
People interested in helping Lots for Soldiers or current or former soldiers wanting to apply can contact the Burnetts at 419-586-5058 or http://lotsforsoldiers.com.
