When the renovation work is finished on these donated homes, the house is appraised and Purple Heart Homes will help the veteran get a mortgage for 50% or less of its value. Beatty and Gallina discovered that many veterans struggle with poor credit, so by making affordable payments on a mortgage, they are able to improve their credit score and build equity.

Beatty believes it's a solution that helps veterans as well as their communities.

"We are putting value back into the properties by not making them free, and we are putting value into the veteran," Beatty said. "This is a hand up, not a handout."

With donations and grants, Purple Heart Homes has grown rapidly since it was founded four years ago. Today, the nonprofit has 12 more projects under construction, with 13 more scheduled to begin this year. The group has more than 300 applications in the pipeline, and it receives about four or five a week.

Beatty and Gallina say their new mission is more than just providing veterans with accessible homes; it's about encouraging communities to get involved with those who served their country.

"My great-grandfather was in World War I, grandfather was in World War II, my dad was in Vietnam. I've seen the uniforms hanging in the closets," Beatty said. "Other people have no connection. ... (We want) to just open people's eyes."

Kevin Smith is a Vietnam veteran from Newton, North Carolina, who suffered knee and back injuries in an accident aboard an aircraft carrier. For decades, he endured dozens of operations and gradually became more reclusive -- in part because he was afraid of falling down his front steps, which didn't have a handrail.

"For 35 years, no one cared," Smith said.

But when Purple Heart Homes built a wheelchair ramp in front of his home, it changed his life. The physical improvements made it easier for him to move about safely, and the goodwill gesture deeply touched Smith.

"(They) made me realize that I had value and worth and that I meant something," he said.

Now Smith socializes frequently with his neighbors and other veterans. He says it's all because of Purple Heart Homes.

"They jump-started me back into life ... (and) said welcome home," Smith said, tearfully. "It's great to be home after 40 years."

For Beatty and Gallina, their work is about giving all veterans the same level of respect.

"Regardless of when you served, where you served ... we're all the same," Beatty said. "They just need to know that somebody does care about them.

"We wouldn't leave someone behind on the battlefield. Why would we do it at home?"

Want to get involved? Check out the Purple Heart Homes website at purplehearthomesusa.org and see how to help.