Normandy Homes Partners with Operation Finally Home to Build Mortgage-Free Home for Veteran

U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Neftali “Nef” Mendoza and his family received the keys to their newly completed and personalized home in Celina during a special dedication event on Monday, January 29. Operation Finally Home along with Normandy Homes partnered to provide the home for the Mendoza family. 

our veteran

Neftali was born and raised in Houston, TX, and joined the Marine Corps at the age of 18. During his four years of service, he was deployed to Libya for Operation Odyssey Lightning in 2016 and was recognized for numerous awards. In 2018, Neftali completed his enlistment and enrolled in college with hopes of becoming a police officer. Later that year, he collapsed after a run and was rushed to the nearest emergency center by his girlfriend (now wife), Alexis Mendoza. He was immediately life-flighted to Methodist Hospital in Houston where he went through five major surgeries, including the amputation of his left leg above the knee. It was later discovered his collapse was caused by the rupturing of his aorta from untreated hypertension, PTSD and other non-combat trauma related to his military service. After getting married in 2020, Neftali and Alexis moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area and have two children.

the journey home

Building a home is a process and the journey to welcoming the Mendoza family home was no exception. The Normandy Homes team chose an already-designed floorplan and customized the home to fit the needs of the family. To create an unforgettable experience, Normandy Homes and Operation Finally Home partnered to host a series of events:

surprise/groundbreaking | August 4, 2023

The family arrived at the Celina Hills community surprised to learn they had been selected to receive a new, mortgage-free Normandy home in Celina, TX.

notes of love | September 22, 2023

Normandy homes employees, neighbors, members of the project team and the community came together to write inspirational “notes of love” on the studs before they were wrapped with dry wall.

home dedication | January 29, 2024

“We have some of the best trades in the business.  When approached about the project they eagerly jumped in to donate their time and materials to make this happen,” said Steve Schermerhorn, president of Normandy Homes. “Our employees also personally gathered donations and gifted household items to the family to help them make a fresh start.”

thank you and welcome home

There’s nothing quite like handing the keys of a brand-new home over to the homeowner. To hand those keys over to a hero was even better.

Normandy Homes is honored to have partnered with Operation Finally Home, an organization that’s mission is to help veterans and their families start a new chapter in life. This home is a heartfelt acknowledgment of the dedicated service rendered by Neftali Mendoza.

Sending a big thank you to all the vendors who generously donated their time and services to support this meaningful cause – this could not have happened without you!

Now, without further ado, welcome home to Neftali, Alexis, and their children – wishing you many years of happiness in your new home!

“Welcome home – where memories are made, love is shared, comfort is found, and storms are weathered. You belong here.”