National homebuilder PulteGroup’s Built to Honor program, in partnership with the national nonprofit Building Homes for Heroes, turned over the keys to a new, mortgage-free home last week to 22-year-old Nazeraeh Montrond and her three younger siblings at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to a news release.
The celebration was held on the morning of Aug. 25, in the Centex community of Wesley Reserve at Chapel Crossings, 5369 Elmview Crossing in Wesley Chapel.
Nazeraeh Montrond lost her father, Army Sgt. Alberto Montrond, in February 2006, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated near his Humvee. He was serving in Afghanistan with the Group Service Support Company in the new Group Support Battalion (GSSC, GSB) for the 7th Special Forces Group, the release says.
Sgt. Montrond deployed at least four times in support of the Global War on Terror, supporting Special Operations forces in Iraq, Jordan and Afghanistan.
The children’s mother, Christl, passed away in March 2021, after suffering with several health issues, leaving Nazeraeh to care for her three younger siblings. Kevin is 18, Arabella is 15 and Bentley is 10.
Today, she manages the demands of a full-time job and a full-time college schedule, while raising her two brothers and sister. Nazeraeh currently is completing her bachelor’s degree in health sciences, according to the release.
The date of the ribbon-cutting holds a special place for the family, since it’s their mother Christl’s birthday.
The Montrond family’s new 1,762-square-foot, two-story townhome features 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths and a one-car garage. Located in the master-planned community of Chapel Crossings, residents will soon enjoy several state-of-the-art amenities including a community pool with lazy river, clubhouse and fitness center.
“The story of Nazeraeh and her siblings has touched all of us,” said Sean Strickler, president of the West Florida Division of PulteGroup, in the release. “Everyone involved in this project knows what having this new home means for the family. We’re so proud to be involved, and we hope Naz, her brothers and sister make many new memories in their new home.”
Founded by Andy Pujol, after he volunteered in the search-and-rescue in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Building Homes for Heroes is a national nonprofit organization that builds and modifies homes and gifts them, mortgage-free, to veterans and their families. The organization averages one home gifted or modified every 11 days. In September, the organization will reach its milestone 300th home.
This is the fifth Built to Honor home delivered in Tampa Bay since 2016. Earlier this year, PulteGroup celebrated awarding its 75th mortgage-free home through the program in Dallas, Texas, according to the release.
Published August 31, 2022
