Veteran who lost his leg in duty and his wife to cancer surprised with a new home tailored to his needs

Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors and The Home Depot Foundation joined forces to build a new home for a veteran who lost his leg in the war and his wife to cancer.

On August 16, Sergeant Anesi “Maverick” Tu’ufuli, a Purple Heart recipient from San Antonio, was surprised with a custom-designed smart home.

The two organizations collaborated to create and furnish the home, ensuring it met Maverick’s needs.

The press release shared by PEOPLE noted that designer Tuan Nguyen chose items from The Home Depot to customize the home for Maverick, who uses a wheelchair, and his family.

In 2005, Maverick was injured by a remote-detonated IED in Taji, Iraq. Initially unsure of his injuries amid gunfire, he was taken to a hospital for surgery but lost consciousness.

He later woke up in a German hospital, where he spent five months undergoing multiple surgeries, including the amputation of his left leg.

Despite difficulties controlling his temperature and an uncertain prognosis, he survived and continued his recovery with three months of rehabilitation.

Since receiving a prosthetic leg, Maverick relies on a wheelchair for daily activities. His family notes that the lack of accessibility has become a growing issue.

After leaving the military and settling into civilian life with his young family, they moved into a two-story house near the San Antonio base.

Despite facing many challenges, his wife, Rhonda, and their two daughters were his biggest supporters.

He was an active father and cared for Rhonda during her battle with cancer, but she sadly passed away in 2018, KSAT reported.

His previous home was not wheelchair accessible, making it difficult for him to live comfortably until he received a new, custom-designed home from The Home Depot Foundation and Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors.

“Why shouldn’t they [veterans] have everything that they need after what they’ve done for this country?” said Alex Karalexis of Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors.

Alex noted that Maverick and his family contacted the nonprofit two years ago.

Since then, they have worked with The Home Depot Foundation to build a new home for a veteran. It is a 2,800-square-foot, wheelchair-accessible home in Bulverde, complete with wide walkways, low countertops, and a specially designed shower.

“We’re also providing all of the furniture inside. He doesn’t know that yet and won’t know until we hand him the keys,” said Heather Prill of the Home Depot Foundation.

“The excitement is through the roof, I’m blown away, this is not what I expected, this is above and beyond from what I thought was going to happen. Being here, seeing all this, it’s like I’m watching a show, I’m in the show right now really!,” Maverick said.

While he values the memories made in his current home, he eagerly anticipates moving to a new, one-level house with spacious rooms and wide doorways.

Maverick expressed happiness about the new space, noting he won’t have to worry about hitting corners with his wheelchair.

He and his family are deeply grateful for what they’ve received and encourage other veterans to seek similar help.

He also highlighted that this assistance helps veterans feel at home again, emphasizing that not all veterans recover fully.

The Home Depot Foundation focuses on enhancing the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, training skilled workers, and aiding disaster-affected communities.

Since 2011, it has invested over $500 million in veteran causes and improved over 60,000 homes.

The Foundation plans to invest $750 million in veteran causes by 2030 and $50 million in training future skilled workers through the Path to Pro program.

Meanwhile, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, named after the former NFL star, provides combat-wounded veterans with accessible, mortgage-free homes tailored to their needs.

By working with veterans, donors, and partners, the organization ensures that each new home for a veteran supports independence and safety, benefiting those who have served the nation.