In 2010, the West Texas Home Builders Association made the decision to begin honoring local heroes and their families by giving mortgage-free homes.

The WTHBA established a non-profit organization called West Texas Hero Homes, where homes would be built and gifted to heroes in the Lubbock community. The mission of this charity is to take care of returning military and first responders who have sacrificed so much for our freedom by providing mortgage-free homes to disabled heroes and their families in the Lubbock area.

Proceeds from the annual Parade of Homes and the Home and Garden Show go toward the building of these homes.

This year, the organization’s seventh home will be built for Russell Snodgrass and his family.

Snodgrass joined the Navy in 2000 and was in Japan for training when he learned of the 9/11 attacks. His training progressed quickly, and he was injured while fast-roping from a helicopter. Snodgrass worked through his injury and was deployed to Iraq, where he was a part of the initial invasion called Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, an assault vehicle near him was struck, and he was knocked unconscious from the blast. This event reinjured his back and was the initial cause of his traumatic brain injury. 

In 2005, after five and a half years of serving in the Navy, Snodgrass was medically discharged with honor. He is now partially paralyzed from his back injury, which continues to deteriorate.

The lot where the Snodgrass home will be located is in Escondido Ranch and was donated by Trey Strong and Robert Wood. Robert Wood and Chad Tarver are serving as the lead builders of this project. South Plains Electric Cooperative will provide service to the Snodgrass home. Construction began in April.

This year, West Texas Hero Homes is partnering with H-E-B for the first time. H-E-B has made a substantial donation to the project and has committed to completely furnish the home.

“We could not do what we do without the generous support of the members of the West Texas Home Builders Association,” Gena Godinez said, WTHBA executive officer. “We already have commitments for concrete, HVAC systems, flooring, fencing and more, all donated by suppliers.” Godinez said.

Make sure to follow along with us over the next six months and watch the progress of this home.