Orlando, FL – Representative Dr. Anna V. Eskamani (HD 42) announced today a powerful new partnership with Building Homes For Heroes, the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA), and other community partners to rebuild the Eatonville home of U.S. Army Veteran Sergeant Patricia Golden (formerly Patricia Jackson).
A proud, honorably discharged veteran, Ms. Golden served in the Army from 1977 to 1985 as a legal clerk and court reporter with the 3rd Infantry Division. She was one of the only Black women in her unit, facing immense challenges, yet she persevered with courage and dignity, completing two tours in Germany. Following her military career, she served her community as a letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service.
Her home in the Historic Town of Eatonville, passed down through her family for generations, was devastated by Hurricane Ian. Already coping with mobility limitations, two knee replacements, and ongoing health challenges, including a recent battle with ovarian cancer, Ms. Golden was unable to repair the damage. As conditions worsened, the home became uninhabitable.
“Sergeant Golden has given so much to her country and community—now it’s our turn to serve her,” said Representative Eskamani. “By rebuilding her home, we are not only restoring her dignity and independence but also preserving an important piece of Eatonville’s history.”
The complete rebuild will give Ms. Golden a safe, accessible, and permanent home where she can live out her life with dignity. Community partners are working together to make sure the new home is designed with her needs in mind, including accessibility features and more comfortable living spaces.
Ms. Golden’s story reflects service, sacrifice, and strength. Born in Winter Park in 1956 and raised in Eatonville, she has always been a caregiver and community leader—first as the eldest daughter raising her siblings, later as a trailblazer in the Army, and now as a volunteer supporting local nonprofits that address food insecurity.
The groundbreaking for Ms. Golden’s new home is expected later this year, with completion anticipated by June 2026. Building Homes For Heroes has provided grant funding for the construction of the home, and GOBA will provide the talent of skilled builders and the generosity of community partners to turn this new house into a forever home.
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About Building Homes For Heroes
Building Homes For Heroes is a national nonprofit dedicated to building and modifying homes for veterans and their families, at no cost to them, to help them live independently and with dignity.
About the Greater Orlando Builders Association (GOBA)
GOBA represents and supports Central Florida’s building industry professionals, working to strengthen communities through partnerships, advocacy, and service.