Late Veteran’s Home Remodeled in His Honor

With our American Pride Core Value, the ABC Supply team has long supported those who serve or have served and consider them part of our family. For a couple years now, we’ve taken that support to the next level by partnering with “Military Makeover,” a reality television series that provides home repairs for veterans and their families free of charge. The first family we supported was the Wojciks in Strum, Wisconsin. Then, in December 2019, we had another opportunity to help the Hixon family in Parkland, Florida.

This makeover for the Hixon family was a particularly special remodel. Debra Hixon and her two sons, Corey and Thomas, tragically lost their husband and father, Chris Hixon, in 2018. Chris was a 27-year Navy veteran who served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He lost his life in 2018 while defending students in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida, where he worked as an athletic director.

“Chris loved being American and serving his country, and he instilled that in his students,” said Debra.

Not only did Debra (the daughter of Navy veterans) and Chris share their Hollywood, Florida, home for 28 years, but it’s also the house where Debra grew up. As part of the surprise remodel, the house received a new roof, flooring, countertops, HVAC system, furniture and even lawn care.

ABC Supply donated building materials and worked with Euro Tech Roofing Inc. from Davie, Florida, to install the roof. A number of our associates, along with community members, even teamed up with the “Military Makeover” crew to complete the renovation work.

Once the remodel was complete, the Hixon family returned for a dramatic reveal. They were “over the moon” about the upgrades and cherished the support from a crowd of family, friends and community members who welcomed them home.

“American Pride is one of our Core Values, and I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy of a helping hand than Chris’ family,” said Mike Jost, our chief operating officer. “Chris is a true American hero, and we were humbled by the opportunity to help ‘Military Makeover’ give his family the gift of a renovated home.”

Surprising the Hixon family with a home remodel was one of many ways we strive to give back to America’s veterans. In our commitment to veterans, we’ve made it a priority to hire them — pledging with RecruitMilitary to live up to that commitment and connect at job fairs across the nation. We’re also now a multimillion-dollar sponsor of Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 veterans.

Learn more about our commitment to veterans here, and check out some of our other blog posts.