Source: WishTV.com

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Two nonprofits, one led by former second lady of the United States Karen Pence, said Thursday they will help a Shelbyville veteran rebuild after she lost everything in a fire last month.

Amanda Hounshell served in the U.S. Army from 2003 to 2015, a stint that included a combat tour in Iraq. On Feb. 20, she, her husband, and their five sons lost everything when a fire destroyed their Shelbyville home, a home they had owned for 10 years. Local veterans organizations helped them find a place to stay, but she said it hasn’t felt like home.

“It’s been very hard trying to settle down and find out where we go from here,” she said. “Starting over from fresh, we have no memories left from the last 10 years of our lives.”

Hounshell was invited to Thursday’s fundraiser luncheon for the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation, a new nonprofit launched by former Karen Pence. Pence announced the organization raised $32,000 each for INvets, Indy Warrior Partnership and Indy Honor Flight. Following those announcements, Military Warriors Support Foundation CEO and retired Lt. Gen. Leroy Cisco spoke. As part of his remarks, he invited Hounshell on stage and surprised her with the ceremonial key to a new home. Cisco said his organization will buy a home for the Hounshells or accept a donated one.

Hefting the massive key while speaking to News 8 afterward, Hounshell said, “I think it was (her son) Bentlee said, ‘Is this a key to a mansion?’”

Military service runs deep in her family. Her father-in-law, Ron, said a member of the Hounshell family has served in the armed forces in each decade going back to the 1920s. Hounshell said on the same day she got the news about the house, her son Hunter completed his training as a cannon crewmember in the Army. Another son, Cameron, is considering joining the Army as well.

“Having five sons, I figured one of them would join,” she said. “We’re continuing that.”

Hounshell said the prospect of finally having a permanent new home is a blessing that she’s still trying to process. She said the next few months will be built around making the house into a home once it becomes available.

Cisco told News 8 his organization will look for a home in the Shelbyville area of roughly 2,500 to 2,800 square feet, larger than the family’s previous home. He said his foundation can accept a donated home and can buy a home outright if necessary.

Pence told News 8 in January that her organization will accept nominations each year for different charities to support. Nominations already are open for 2026 and members of the public can submit them via the Hummingbird Charitable Foundation’s website through June 25.