New York 5K Hoping to Raise Major Funds for Injured Veterans

Building Homes for Heroes, a national organization providing houses for injured veterans, will host its second annual “Honoring Our Heroes” 5K Run/Walk in Long Island, New York, on Saturday. 

The event serves as a fundraiser to provide mortgage-free homes and other valuable resources for wounded veterans, first responders and their families. 

Building Homes for Heroes (BHH) was founded in 2006 by Andy Pujol, a New York native who volunteered at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. 

Daniel Hernandez, a Marine Corps veteran, and Building Homes for Heroes staff member, organized the race as a way to inspire people to give back to the veteran community. Saturday’s event will be held at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York. Along with the 5K run/walk, the event features a 1-mile kids’ fun run. 

“Before I joined the BHH team, the company had three 5K runs/walks going from 2012 to 2015,” Hernandez told Military.com. “I was happy to restart this 5k and get our local community involved, and we also encourage runners nationwide to do their own 5k in solidarity and are welcome to donate in support of our heroes.” 

Runners who can’t make it to Long Island for Saturday’s race, can participate by registering online at buildinghomesforheroes.org.

Hernandez said this year’s goal is to raise $10,000 from the race, exceeding last year’s $7,500. However, Saturday will be a busy day for local runners as five other charitable races are scheduled across Long Island. 

“All for incredible causes,” Hernandez said. 

‘Overwhelming Gratitude’ 

After a 10-year hiatus, the new version of “Honoring Our Heroes” attracted about 200 runners and walkers in 2025, according to Hernandez. This spring, about 150 are signed up so far. 

“The money raised from this event and other BHH fundraisers goes to repairing homes to be tailored to the veterans and their needs,” Hernandez said. “We also have a grant program where we fund a veteran homeowner with $50,000 to renovate their home that this run will also support.” 

The organization teams with licensed contractors to complete work on their homes. BHH also assists veterans and first responders by providing emergency funding when times get tough. For Hernandez, the smiles he sees from veterans appreciative of the program are worth all the hard work.  

“The response we receive is overwhelming gratitude,” Hernandez said. “The veteran, when awarded either a mortgage-free home or funding for a modification, often shares how life-changing it is that they could focus on other aspects of their life without the burden of a mortgage or a home that doesn’t accommodate their specific needs based on their injuries.” 

In addition, the program gives 96 cents of every dollar donated back to support its mission. 

9/11 Inspired Organization 

When Andy Pujol saw the planes crash into both towers of the World Trade Center, killing thousands of his New York City neighbors, he knew he had to do something. 

Pujol, a local businessman from Island Park, jumped into action, driving to Ground Zero and assisting search-and-rescue teams, working alongside firefighters and police officers to save as many lives as possible. 

In the weeks following the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan, kicking off a military engagement lasting two decades, affecting the lives of thousands of American soldiers and their families through casualties, severe injuries and mental health struggles. 

Seeing first-hand what emergency personnel went through in the days following 9/11 and watching soldiers go to war, inspired Pujol to start BHH in Long Island 20 years ago. What began as a grassroots charity to build one home for injured veterans has grown into a national movement looking to complete its 500th home before the end of 2026. 

Bringing back the annual run/walk was a way to recognize the local New York City backers who have supported BHH from day one, while also providing needed homes for veterans and first responders across the country. According to a press release, the organization receives building and materials from large home improvement franchises like Lowe’s, Chase, SAIC and others. 

As for Saturday, Hernandez said he’s looking forward to seeing some familiar faces, along with some new runners hitting the pavement for a charitable cause.

“From last year, I would like to say we saw at least 25% of runners return based on current sign-ups,” he said. “I have had runners tell me that they enjoyed the race and wish we could host more of them in different neighborhoods throughout Long Island.” 

The Marine Corps veteran is already looking toward next year’s race, thinking of ways to improve the event. 

“My plans for next year are to have the race being held on local streets in a specific town instead of a park. This way, we can get a community involved with our cause,” Hernandez said.