Indiana connects with real estate agent to support Legion membership

The American Legion Family of Indiana has positively impacted the life of Lindsey Porter and her husband, Andy, an Army veteran and Legionnaire. She showed her appreciation to the organization by helping to organize a motorcycle ride with Legion Riders of Chapter 470 in Fishers that raised $10,000 and sent six veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder to receive hyperbaric treatment in Colorado. Now, as a real estate agent, she’s paying it forward again to The American Legion by supporting membership – helping current and eligible Legion family members save thousands of dollars when buying or selling a home.

Porter’s program, Heroes Among Us, pays for the closing costs when buying, selling or investing in real estate. She recently connected with the Department of Indiana to make Heroes Among Us a service available to Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion members as a way to increase membership and promote the good of the organization. The program is located and offered on the department's website here.

“The American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons are always striving to help anyone and everyone in need and being involved in this great organization has changed my life. So once I began my career in real estate (Porter Realty Group), I wanted to be able to continue to give back to The American Legion, veterans and their family members ” said Porter, a member of Auxiliary Unit 470 in Fishers, Ind. “I’ve worked hard to create this program because I truly believe in it and the impact it will have, and already has had, on so many people’s lives.”

Porter is thankful that the Department of Indiana saw value in her program and made it possible to share with Legion family members departmentwide.

“Buying a home can be one of the most important and stressful processes in someone’s life, but American Legion supports programs like Heroes Among Us that aim to help our nation’s veterans and their families through the process, which is invaluable,” said Department of Indiana Commander James May.

Heroes Among Us is available to any Indiana resident who is currently an American Legion Family member in good standing or is eligible to become a member and signs up, and works with Porter Realty Group when buying or selling a home. Porter made the program available to Legion family members because she believes “that the family members should be entitled to benefits as well as a thank you for the service their family member gave to our great country,” she said.

Porter said it is estimated that one out of three Indiana residents quality for Legion family membership. “I would love to reach each one of those veterans and family members to make them aware not only of Heroes Among Us but of all the amazing benefits they could receive if they become a Legion member,” Porter said. “With our program, we have been able to add many new members to the American Legion Family and also save them thousands of dollars on the purchase or selling of their home.”

Porter Realty Group and affiliate agents donate 20 percent of their gross commission which is applied directly to The American Legion member’s closing costs. In addition to the 20 percent donation, the real estate agents preferred lenders and title companies discount their services as well.

“This program not only honors the service of these men and women and their families, but they are also helping to make their dreams come true,” May said.

Porter said that those who have went through the program truly grasped “what an amazing benefit this program is to them and their family.” As it’s not only supporting their home-buying or selling dreams, but through membership, it’s supporting the American Legion Family’s efforts to continue serving the needs of veterans and their families.

“It’s inspiring to know that men and women have a place to go (with The American Legion) when they are currently serving or when finished with their duties where they can find peace and fellowship,” Porter said. “I know firsthand how traumatic the war is on these men and women and having a place that feels like home is incredibly important.”