GOBA + Building Homes for Heroes Press Release
Welcome Home Celebration for Army Veteran, Ms. Golden
After Losing Her House to Hurricane Ian, Army Veteran Who Championed Homeownership for Others Will Receive Mortgage-Free Home in Historic Eatonville
Building Homes for Heroes, Greater Orlando Builders Association, and local partners will honor Army Sergeant Patricia Golden and present her with the keys to her new home in the May 8th Eatonville ceremony
WHAT: National nonprofit organization Building Homes for Heroes, in partnership with the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA) and Silliman Cityside Homes, will present the keys to a mortgage-free home to U.S. Army Sergeant Patricia “Pat” Golden during a patriotic ceremony in Eatonville, Florida on Friday, May 8th at 10:00 a.m.
Ms. Golden is a longtime believer in the power of homeownership and its role in building generational wealth and long-term stability for families and communities. Now, after years of service to her country and the people around her, the community is joining together to give that same gift back to a true hero in need.
Ms. Golden joined the Army out of Chicago in April 1977 because she wanted to make a difference in the world while protecting and defending our country’s rights and freedoms. She began her military career as a clerk typist and joined the General’s Office for the Headquarters of the 3rd Infantry Division, serving two tours in Germany as a law clerk and court reporter. After serving her country for eight years with dedication and courage, she was honorably discharged in April 1985 with a 100% disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
During her service, Pat was diagnosed with PTSD. She has also faced significant physical hardships connected to her military service, including a double knee replacement surgery in September 2022. At the end of August 2024, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatment until January 2025. To this day, she continues to cope with the long-term physical limitations from her treatment and service-connected injuries.
After leaving the military, Pat transitioned into a career with the U.S. Postal Service and became a valued role model within the Eatonville community. Sadly, in 2022, damage from Hurricane Ian left her home uninhabitable.
The community that Pat spent years building up is now building something for her. This project reflects the commitment of Building Homes for Heroes, GOBA, and Silliman Cityside Homes and the Eatonville community to support a veteran who has spent her life in service to others. The ceremony will feature the official presentation of keys, remarks from organizational leaders, and an opportunity for Pat to share her story with the community that rallied behind her.
This home is part of Building Homes for Heroes’ ongoing mission to care for America’s veterans and first responders. As the organization marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, it continues to build on its commitment with their 50+500+5,000 campaign: constructing, gifting and modifying a record 50 homes, reaching its milestone 500th home before the end of the year and supporting more than 5,000 veterans, first responders, and their family members through all its programs.
WHO: Army Sergeant Patricia Golden, along with representatives from Building Homes for Heroes, GOBA, and Silliman Cityside Homes will be available for interviews following the ceremony. John Madison, an Army National Guard veteran and BHH board member, can speak more about BHH’s mission and the process of gifting and building Ms. Golden’s home.
WHEN: Friday, May 8 at 10:00 a.m., media should arrive no later than 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Eatonville, Florida (address available upon request)
VISUALS: The ceremony will provide excellent opportunities for photography and videography, including the emotional key presentation, family reactions, and home reveal. Broadcast teams are especially encouraged to attend this heartwarming story of service, resilience, and a community coming together to support a veteran who spent her career lifting up others.
ONSITE MEDIA CONTACT: [TBD]
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About Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes builds and gifts mortgage-free homes, and completes home modifications, for veterans, emergency first responders and their families, and provides further services along their road to recovery to help them live a promising and fulfilling life ahead. The organization reached a 96% program rating in 2024, the 13th straight year earning a program rating of at least 93%. It also received a perfect 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for seven straight years, including a 100% in transparency and accountability. Since inception, Building Homes for Heroes has constructed, modified, and gifted more than 450 homes, with support from corporations and groups including Lowe’s, Chase, SAIC and many more. Learn more at buildinghomesforheroes.org
About Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA)
Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA) is the authority, educator, and promoter of the housing and building industry representing more than 800 members and 40,000 employees. Since 1953, GOBA has served the construction industry in Seminole, Orange, and Osceola counties. The intention is to foster an environment within the association and within our neighborhoods to create opportunities for building relationships, businesses, and communities while balancing the economic, social, and environmental needs of our members and communities served.
About Silliman Cityside Homes
Silliman CitySide creates stunning luxury custom homes in the best locations Central Florida has to offer. Even if those locations have already been “built out.” Even if new homes haven’t been sold there for years. Silliman CitySide finds the hidden gems—the overlooked homesites and older homes ready for demolition—and turns them into viable new home options.
