Submitted Photo Operation Homefront, a national non-profit with a mission to build strong, stable and secure military families, has awarded a mortgage-free home to veteran Raun Hampe and his family in Valdosta. 

VALDOSTA — A veteran received a mortgage-free house in South Georgia.

Operation Homefront, a national non-profit with a mission to build strong, stable and secure military families, has awarded a mortgage-free home to Airman First Class Raun Hampe through Operation Homefront’s Homes on the Homefront program, according to an organizational press release. 

The home was donated by JPMorgan Chase. & Co.

“It means the world to me,” Hampe said. “I will be closer to my son and I will see him more often, and be closer to the VA hospital. I am speechless — what you all do for military families is amazing.

“It’s great to know that there are programs out there and assistance from Operation Homefront and Chase,” he said. “This is a huge burden and weight off my shoulders.”

In 2002, Hampe enlisted in the Air Force in East Stroudsburg, Pa. As an airman first class, he served in security forces, according to the press release. In this role, he maintained security for his assigned base camps. During his eight years of service, he was deployed to Iraq three times. His first deployment was in 2004, his second in 2005 and his last in 2006. In 2010, he medically retired with an honorable discharge.

Hampe is a single father and was renting a home in Ray City. He heard about Operation Homefront’s Homes on the Homefront program through a friend.

In 2012, Operation Homefront created the Homes on the Homefront program with the assistance of corporate partners to award mortgage-free homes to veterans and military families. It has placed nearly 600 military families nationwide in its Homes on the Homefront program.

Operation Homefront has provided more than $56 million dollars in home equity to military families. In 2016, Operation Homefront placed 85 military families in homes and deeded 121, according to the organization. The homes are donated by bank partners including JPMorgan Chase & Co. and other major financial services companies.

For more information, or to apply, go to www.homesonthehomefront.org.