Residents of The Woodlands Hills are invited to write inspirational notes to local veteran receiving a house courtesy of Howard Hughes and others

THE WOODLANDS, TX – Residents of The Woodland Hills community are invited to write inspirational words of support and encouragement on the studs and framing of the unfinished home of US Army Sgt. Joanna Ellenbeck and her daughter on Wednesday, Dec. 6, from 1:00 - 3:30 p.m., at the site of the under-construction structure located at 110 Rosa Peace Terrace, in Willis.

Ellenbeck and her daughter currently live in Arizona. The move to the Houston area will allow them to live closer to family and friends. This will help provide her young daughter with the medical, therapeutic, and educational support she needs. Ellenbeck’s daughter, who was born blind and has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair.

The Ellenbeck family was initially surprised December 18, 2022, during a Houston Texans game with the news they were receiving a custom-built, mortgage-free home built by Century Communities on a lot donated by Howard Hughes in The Woodlands Hills. Ellenbeck thought she was being recognized as the Texans’ Salute to Service honoree of the game.

However, at the end of the Salute to Service feature, the announcer shared even more exciting news – Ellenbeck and her family were receiving a custom built, mortgage-free home on behalf of Operation Finally Home.

On August 11, neighbors, community members, the media, and others celebrated the start of this new chapter in Ellenbeck’s life at a special groundbreaking event. Woodlands Online was at the event to talk with Ellenbeck and others; the story can be read here: https://www.woodlandsonline.com/npps/story.cfm?nppage=76496.

The home will be completed in next year and the build team will host a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Ellenbeck family at an event whose date will be announced in early 2024.