Cracker Barrel’s flagship nonprofit partner, Operation Homefront, in partnership with Chase Bank, will present the deed to a new, mortgage-free home for veteran Melissa Schafer and her family on Monday.
Operation Homefront has placed more than 500 families with over 1,200 children into mortgage-free homes and is the provider of choice for short-term and critical assistance, long-term stability and recurring support programs to military families.
Veteran Melissa Schafer, her husband and her three children Cameron, 17, Emma, 13, and Samuel, 8, are receiving the home in Chattanooga.
The deeding ceremony on Monday will be held from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. At the ceremony, Ms. Schafer will be presented the deed and la arge key to her new home by Operation Homefront and Chase. The family will also be getting their first look at their newly decorated living room, featuring décor contributions from Cracker Barrel. Representatives from Operation Homefront, Cracker Barrel and Chase will offer their remarks.
Ms. Schafer was born into a military family, and in 1998, enlisted in the Army National Guard. As a specialist, she served as a military police officer. She patrolled and responded to emergency calls and assisted with crime scene security and investigations. Her first active duty call was in 2002 and after one year she enlisted in the Reserves until 2006. She became active again that same year and in 2007, she deployed to Afghanistan. In 2008, she was honorably discharged suffering from major arthritis in her back.
During her last year in service, Ms. Schafer met her (future) husband, Aaron, who also in the Army serving as a military police officer. They have been married for seven years, and with their three children have been living in a rented apartment.