Jacksonville, FL –
Providence Homes takes great pride in announcing the builder's participation in Operation Yellow Ribbon. This community initiative is being presented in conjunction with the United Way of Northeast Florida and the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce to show support for the men and women of the military and their families in our community.

As part of this effort, Providence Homes is offering local active military personnel and their dependents a one- percent (1%) discount on the total contract price on the purchase of a newly built home. The offer is valid through July 31, 2003.

There are more than 100,000 active duty military personnel and their dependents in North Florida, including United States Naval personnel, members of the U.S. National Guard, and those in the Reserves. Many of these military servicemen and women are currently involved in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Homeland Security.

"Our troops are dedicated to protecting this great country," said Diane Kilner, Director of Sales and Marketing with Providence Homes and Providence Realty. "This is just our way of showing our troops that we're dedicated to supporting them."

Operation Yellow Ribbon supports the people of the military, whether engaged in combat or defending our homeland, whether protecting peaceful people or providing humanitarian aide around the world.

"In peace or in conflict, we support our troops," she said. "The military provides a service to us in protecting the freedoms many of us take for granted every day."

Operation Yellow Ribbon identifies services and products available to military families. "Our goal in participating with this program is to improve morale and to let the servicemen and women and their families know that we support and encourage them," Kilner said.

Operation Yellow Ribbon integrates both the business community's services, as well as human service agency services into a single list. For more information, please visit the United Way of Northeast Florida's website at
uwnefl.org/yellowribbon.asp.

"We know they are prepared to give their lives to protect our freedom," Kilner said. "This is our way of saying thank you and showing our military our deep appreciation for all they do."