U.S. Army Sergeant Joanna Ellenbeck and her daughter were gifted a custom-built home in The Woodlands Hills to honor Ellenbeck’s dedicated military service.
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In a heartwarming ceremony on May 16, U.S. Army Sergeant Joanna Ellenbeck and her daughter were welcomed into their new custom-built, mortgage-free Home in The Woodlands Hills, a gift recognizing Ellenbeck’s dedicated military service.
This remarkable event was made possible through a collaboration between Century Communities, Inc., the Houston Texans, The Howard Hughes Corporation, the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA), and Operation Finally Home.
A New Beginning for the Ellenbeck Family
The Ellenbeck family, who recently relocated to the Houston area from Arizona to be closer to family and friends, received the life-changing news at a Houston Texans game on December 18, 2022.
Ellenbeck, honored as the Texans’ Salute to Service recipient, was surprised when the announcer revealed that she and her daughter were being gifted a new home, courtesy of Operation Finally Home and its partners.
Custom Home Features for Special Needs
Century Communities, Inc. customized the 2,012-square-foot, single-story Home to meet the unique needs of the Ellenbeck family. The Home includes:
- Sloped concrete for wheelchair access
- Widened doorways
- Blocking system in the child’s bedroom for a harness
- Changing table in the owner’s bathroom
- Grab bars in all bathrooms
- Quick access door to the child’s bedroom
These modifications ensure a safe and comfortable environment for Ellenbeck’s young daughter, who was born blind and has cerebral palsy, requiring extensive medical, therapeutic, and educational support.
Honoring a Dedicated Military Career
Ellenbeck enlisted in the U.S. Army after the 9/11 attacks, serving for over eight years with three combat deployments—one to Afghanistan and two to Iraq.
As an avionics mechanic with the 25th Infantry Division, she repaired helicopters, including Black Hawks, Chinooks, and Kiowa 58s.
Ellenbeck’s service left her with visible and invisible scars, including a debilitating back injury that may necessitate future wheelchair use.
For her valor, Ellenbeck received numerous awards, including:
| Award | Description |
|---|---|
| Iraq Campaign Medal | Five stars |
| Army Commendation Medal | Four times |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | Twice |
| Army Good Conduct Medal | Twice |
| National Defense Service Medal | – |
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | – |
Homecoming Ceremony
The home welcoming ceremony was a grand event attended by representatives from the Houston Texans, including cheerleaders, mascot TORO, and Texans legend Steve McKinney.
Leadership from Century Communities’ Houston Division, Howard Hughes, GHBA, Operation Finally Home, and numerous partners and contractors were also present.
Ellenbeck and her daughter were escorted to their new Home by Patriot Guard Riders and Operation Finally Home Vice President Lee Kirgan.
About Century Communities
Century Communities, Inc. (NYSE: CCS) is a leading homebuilder recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Most Trustworthy Companies in 2024.
Century Communities has operations in 18 states and over 45 markets, and Century Communities is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable homes.
Learn more at www.centurycommunities.com.
About The Howard Hughes Corporation®
The Howard Hughes Corporation® is a prominent developer of commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate across the U.S. Notable properties include The Woodlands®, Bridgeland®, and The Woodlands Hills® in Greater Houston.
Visit www.howardhughes.com for more information.
About The Greater Houston Builders Association
The GHBA, established in 1941, represents over 1,500 companies in the development, homebuilding, and remodeling industries in the Houston area.
The association advocates for quality housing and interacts with the community to enhance the business climate.
Learn more at www.ghba.org.
About Houston Texans Foundation
Founded in 2002, the Houston Texans Foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life for youth through education, character development, and health programs.
Over $45 million has been raised to support these initiatives.
Visit www.houstontexans.com for more details.
About Operation Finally Home
Operation Finally Home, based in New Braunfels, Texas, provides custom-built, mortgage-free homes for veterans and first responders.
Since 2005, the organization has completed over 430 home projects across 32 states.
For more information, visit www.operationfinallyhome.org.
This touching gesture honors Sergeant Joanna Ellenbeck’s military service.
It provides her and her daughter with a stable and supportive home environment, illustrating the power of community and gratitude in action.
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