In the News

On Saturday, November 14th, Tim O’Brien Homes, Operation FINALLY Home, and all the sponsors/supporters wrote “Notes of Love” within the studs of the two mortgage-free homes for two deserving wounded war heroes and their family.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote an article about the handwritten notes and the honor all felt as they wrote their notes for the Veterans:

On November 14, 2015, Bo and Kim Kitelinger and Drew and Katelyn Wroblewski walked around their new homes. Still bare to the studs, the houses were both unfinished and complete — empty yet full. The day before, both homes were filled with members of the community, sponsors and contributors who wrote messages and signed Notes of Love to the two families on the interior walls as part of Operation Finally Home (OFH). The two veterans and their families will be next door neighbors in the Cranberry Creek subdivision in the Village of Jackson. “They recognized each other from when they served,” said Molly Halliday of Operation Finally Home. “Now, they will be neighbors here to help each other transition from military to civilian life. It’s truly a God thing.”

Both families are overwhelmed by their new circumstances: each receiving a three-bedroom, three-bath ranch home — mortgage-free. “I think Bo and Kim are still trying to process it all. Drew and Katelyn have had a few months for all this to sink in,” Halliday said.

U.S. Army Sgt. Drew Wroblewski, along with his wife, Katelyn

U.S. Army Specialist Robert “Bo” Kitelinger was the second recipient of a mortgage-free home in Wisconsin through Operation Finally Home. Sgt. Gerard “Drew” Wroblewski was the first veteran who was gifted a mortgage-free home through the organization this past summer.

Although the veterans had been recently surprised by such generosity, the homes have been in the works for a year, thanks to Belman Homes, Tim O’Brien Homes, Neumann Companies and Structural Building Components Association. “It has been months of planning, fundraising, coordinating and building,” said Kris Hillmer, executive director of the Metropolitan Builders Association. Hillmer, who is a member of the main planning committee, wandered the home, reading the messages left by all those involved in the project. “We reached out to MBA members and subcontractors. Hundreds of people contributed in both big and small ways to make this happen. It’s a cause so many believe in.” Hillmer left her message in an interior kitchen wall. “It’s the heart of the home,” she said.

David Belman, president of Belman Homes, looked as proud as a new father as he welcomed those who came to write messages of good wishes and eternal gratitude to the new owners.

The homes, which are scheduled to be dedicated in February or March 2016, are both the same size and shape: 1,650 square feet on the main floor and 1,299 square feet in the finished lower level. “The homes have different exterior fronts,” Belman said. The Kitelinger home, built by Belman Homes, is a stick-built frame with rafters. “It took about eight days to put up and it features two-by-six walls and16-inch on center.” The Wroblewski home, built by Tim O’Brien Homes, is a panelized structure with roof trusses and two-by-four walls and 24-inch on center. It took two days to put up. The lots were donated by Neumann Companies. “The homes would normally be around $350,000 with the land. Both families are receiving them mortgage-free because of all the donations from the trades, suppliers and communities.”

U.S. Army Specialist Robert “Bo” Kitelinger along with his wife, Kim, and their three children.

Bob Ritcher and John Atlee of Water Doctors were there to sign messages. Appropriately, Atlee chose an interior wall in the bathroom. The company installed the filtration and soft-ration systems in the homes. “This project was near and dear to us,” Ritcher said. “Respect for veterans is missing. This was our way to show our gratitude.” The homes will have the latest technology in water systems. “The systems run on water pressure and usage, not electricity,” Atlee said.

Todd Flitter and Tim Mulder of Drexel Building Supplies were there too. Drexel supplied the doors, millwork, cabinetry and finished flooring. “Joel Fleischman, owner of Drexel, was approached by Tim O’Brien and David Belman, who are longtime customers of ours. We were happy to do what we could for veterans and their families going through tough times,” Flitter said. Mulder agreed. “As a family-owned business, we are very involved in our community.”

Ray Hoffman, marketing director for Renewal by Andersen, who sat on the OFH Task Force, was there too. “To get involved was an easy decision for me,” he said. As a veteran of Desert Shield, Hoffman wanted to contribute any way he could. Both homes are graced with big, beautiful windows donated by Renewal by Andersen. As a result of OFH, Hoffman has acquired some unexpected rewards. “I hear from both Bo and Drew a couple of times a day. We are now best friends.”

Kelly Valentino, director of Jackson’s Parks & Recreation Department, stopped by with a special delivery. Valentino delivered dozens of messages and artwork by students of Jackson Elementary School to be included in the interior walls.

Hallmark Building Supplies donated Tyvek House Wrap and DuPont Corian countertops. Linda Heipp and Mike Hoium of Hallmark were there to pen their good wishes before the walls were enclosed. “Hallmark has a relationship with both Tim O’Brien and David Belman and got us involved in Operation Finally Home,” Hoium said. “They are really good builders and community members.” Heipp added, “Our CEO is also a vet. He wants our company to be involved in the community. So this was a perfect fit.”

As supporters and donors walked through the homes on a cold November afternoon, the space was warmed with heartfelt wishes of gratitude. “These men have affected our lives,” said Dylan Snyder, ticket sales representative for the Milwaukee Bucks. “We were approached to have the reveal for Bo’s home at the Bucks game in October. We wanted to help honor those who serve and be a part of Operation Finally Home.”

There is some discussion for a third home to be built in Wisconsin, Halliday said. “Our process is unique because we start with builders and those in the trades. These are the best people around.”

The homes of Bo and Kim Kitelinger and Drew and Katelyn Wroblewski are now filled with Notes of Love for their sacrifice. “Bo and Drew are good ambassadors for Operation Finally Home,” Halliday said. “They are now part of our family.”

Original article: 

By J.A. Berger – Milwaukee Journal Sentinel