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Family Focus: Charities come together to provide houses for wounded warriors

DENVER, N.C. — Four North Carolina charities are coming together to do something unique for wounded warriors -- they're providing new homes for their families.

Tucked under the trees in Denver, N.C., donated land will soon turn into a haven for wounded warriors.

General contractor Alton Stewart and his charity, Hearts and Hammers, will develop five lots there.

“We own them already, free and clear, and I thought we could build homes for veterans and that people would support it,” Stewart said.

And people are supporting it. In fact, three other charities are joining them to complete the project, including Purple Heart Homes and Rick Cantwell's Military Family Lifestyle Charitable Foundation.

“The great part of this nation is that a lot of people care and they want to do something, and  what our organizations are doing is trying to get awareness out of what can they do,” Cantwell said.

In all, five homes will be built there, with the goal of completing the first house by the spring.

Eyewitness News has covered numerous stories of veterans receiving homes, but this is the first time that several homes will be donated in one community, so wounded warriors will be surrounded by neighbors who truly understand their experience.

Last weekend, Cantwell's charity raised funds with an Honor the Warriors bike ride.

The other charitable partner, Patriot Charities, has donated more than $56,000 to the effort, and is raising more at its gala on Nov. 3.

“Now we're putting it together and we're going to make it happen,” Cantwell said.

Cantwell said it’s a grassroots movement, rallying the community to give back to those who've served.

“You gotta do more than just care, you gotta do something,” Cantwell said. “If you provide the pathway to do something, they step right up.”