On April 29, Kurt's AC & Heat and YORK Factory Direct partnered with Building Homes for Heroes during a Welcome Home ceremony in Ocklawaha, Florida, for Army Specialist James Lipscomb. During a mission in Iraq, Specialist Lipscomb was injured when his truck hit an IED. He suffers from degenerative joint disease, PTSD and a traumatic brain injury. For his service to his country, Specialist Lipscomb was awarded a Purple Heart.

To support Specialist Lipscomb, Johnson Controls and YORK Factory Direct donated a YORK heating and cooling system with a Wi-Fi enabled YORK touch-screen thermostat to better assist him with adjusting his home's temperature without the need to get up. Kurt's AC & Heat donated the HVAC installation services for the veteran's new home.

"We're so grateful to be able to give back to our community by supporting a real local hero through Building Homes for Heroes," said Rye Purdy, manager, Kurt's AC & Heat. "Contributing our services to Specialist Lipscomb's home is an honor." 

Building Homes for Heroes is a national organization that recognizes those who serve in the United States Armed Forces by supporting the needs of severely wounded or disabled soldiers and their families. The organization strives to build or renovate quality homes and donate them, mortgage-free, to injured veterans nationwide.

"The customized amenities that Johnson Controls brings to these homes provide not only a foundation for these heroes, but a hopeful path to a bright future with the opportunity to reach dreams they may have never thought imaginable when injured," said Andy Pujol, founder and CEO of Building Homes for Heroes. "We are honored to partner with Johnson Controls, Kurt's AC & Heat and YORK Factory Direct to gift a home to Specialist Lipscomb and his family."

The YORK brand of Johnson Controls has been a proud sponsor of Building Homes for Heroes since 2014. The company has been recognized by US Veterans Magazine as a top veteran-friendly company. Johnson Controls is also committed to hiring veterans and military spouses. Veteran employees are honored to design, engineer and assemble systems that help improve the lives of fellow veterans. 

Building Homes for Heroes invites anyone wishing to volunteer or donate to the organization to contact Building Homes for Heroes at info@buildinghomesforheroes.org. To learn more about Building Homes for Heroes www.buildinghomesforheroes.org.