Fairway Independent Mortgage Presents Fallen Military Veteran's Family With Mortgage-Free Home In Pennsylvania

Purple Heart recipient killed in Afghanistan leaves behind wife and young daughter

News provided by

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation

May 25, 2014, 04:49 ET

LANCASTER, Pa., May 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation, one of the country's largest mortgage companies, joined forces with the Boot Campaign and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, non-profit organizations supporting returning American military troops, to sponsor a "mortgage-free" home to the surviving spouse of a serviceman killed serving in the armed forces, just days before the nation celebrates Memorial Day.

Corporal Steven Koch, an Army Infantryman was killed in action on March 3, 2008, in the final month of a 15 month deployment to Afghanistan, leaving behind his wife, Amy, and young daughter, Zoe. According to Amy Koch, Steven joined the military after his brother narrowly avoided becoming a victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His brother William was working in downtown Manhattan across the street from where the twin towers were hit.

Earlier this week, Fairway Independent Mortgage honored Koch's memory by presenting his surviving spouse and daughter with the mortgage-free home following a Fairway "Boot Camp" event held in Lancaster, PA. Designed to train local real estate agents on how to help active U.S. military service members and veterans overcome their unique challenges to buying a home, Fairway's Certified Military Residential Specialist (CMRS) certification programs equip housing professionals to handle with care the home purchase needs of active duty and former military clients.

Monday, May 26th is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. "Many people will celebrate with a long week-end of fun and barbecues, forgetting the fallen warriors of this nation or the families they left behind, but there is a group of people Lancaster, PA who I believe will be thinking differently this holiday week-end," said Louise Thaxton, Fairway's military mortgage director who presented Koch with the "key" to her mortgage-free home. "I believe they will be carrying the memory of this event where Fairway honored one fallen warrior in such a very special way not just through this Memorial Day weekend, but for the rest of their lives.

"The Koch family have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and deserve a chance at homeownership. Our Boot Camp events were created to help them realize that dream," Thaxton said.

Fairway Independent Mortgage is a proud supporter of the American military and has helped thousands of active military personnel and veterans nationwide buy homes. Fairway employees have pledged several hundred thousand dollars in donations to help provide mortgage-free homes to veterans in association with the Boot Campaign, a non-profit organization supporting returning American military troops, and made possible through the Military Warriors Support Foundation's Homes 4 Wounded Heroes program.

After acquiring distressed properties from financial institutions, the Military Warriors Support Foundation uses funds provided by Fairway to provide accommodations and modifications for the specific heroes. In addition to the home, the families receive three years of family and financial mentoring. Combat wounded veterans or unmarried Gold Star spouses of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom are encouraged to apply for a mortgage-free home by visiting www.militarywarriors.org/openhomes.

About Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
Founded in 1996 by Steve Jacobson, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is a mortgage banker headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin. The company has 190 locations and approximately 1,600 employees nationwide. The corporate vision is to foster relationships and create a team atmosphere, empowering offices to operate autonomously in their day-to-day operations, while still maintaining strict compliance and consistency across the board. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation provides all necessary support in the areas of personnel, accounting and compliance. For more information, please visit www.FairwayIndependentMC.com

About The Boot Campaign
The Boot Campaign is a national 501c3 nonprofit that is dedicated to showing tangible appreciation of our active military, raising awareness of the challenges they face upon return and supporting their transition home. The Boot Campaign cultivates awareness, promotes patriotism, and provides assistance to military, past and present, and their families. Through the sale of its signature military combat boots, general public donations, and corporate sponsorship, the Boot Campaign operates five distinct initiatives -- Jobs, Housing, Wellness, Urgent Assistance and Family Support-- that are caring for military personnel, past and present, healing from a variety of physical and emotional combat wounds, embodying the campaign motto that, "When They Come Back, We Give Back". http://BootCampaign.com

About Military Warriors Support Foundation
Military Warriors Support Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, founded by Lt. General, Leroy Sisco, USA (Ret), in 2007. Their Mission is to provide support for our nation's combat wounded heroes and Gold Star Families as they transition out of the military and into their new civilian life. This is a very fragile time for these heroes, and their families, and it is the foundations goal to provide programs that facilitate a smooth and successful transition. These programs include home donation, academic and employment assistance, as well as recreational activities.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Heidi Yribar
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
(520) 749-3900
[email protected]

LOCAL MEDIA CONTACT:
Ken Pederson, Branch Manager
Fairway Independent Mortgage
[email protected]

SOURCE Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation