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🚒 A DeForest Firefighter & Child Care Professional Get the Help They Deserve
Retired DeForest Firefighter & Child Care Professional Save Over $7,500 | Reward Our Heroes™
Retired DeForest Firefighter & Child Care Professional Save Over $7,500 Through Reward Our Heroes™
🚒 A DeForest Firefighter & Child Care Professional Get the Help They Deserve
When Andy, a retired DeForest firefighter, and Sara, a dedicated child care professional, decided it was time to move, they weren't just juggling a home purchase — they were also selling their existing home.
Like so many Wisconsin families, they were excited about the next chapter but also aware of how quickly closing costs, fees, and transaction expenses can add up when you're both buying and selling.
Through the Reward Our Heroes™ Foundation and our local program partners, Andy and Sara didn't just get to the closing table — they saved big along the way.
Quick Answer
Q: How much did Andy and Sara save with Reward Our Heroes™? A: They saved $4,360.50 on their home purchase and, when combined with savings from their home sale, their total savings exceeded $7,500 — thanks to reduced fees and credits from local partners who support Wisconsin heroes.
👥 Who Are Andy & Sara?
Andy spent his career serving DeForest as a firefighter — showing up on some of the hardest days in people's lives. Sara works in child care, supporting families and caring for kids so parents can work, serve, and keep their own lives moving forward.
They're exactly the kind of people the Reward Our Heroes™ program was built for: the quiet professionals who step up for their community every single day.
💰 How They Saved Over $7,500
Reward Our Heroes™ isn't a government program or a down payment grant. It's a Wisconsin nonprofit that coordinates savings from local real estate and lending professionals who agree to give back part of their earnings to heroes.
Breakdown of Andy & Sara's Savings
$4,360.50 in savings on their home purchase
Additional savings on their home sale through reduced listing-side costs
Total savings exceeded $7,500 across both transactions
Those savings came directly from program partners — not from taxpayers and not from hidden fees.
Andy and Sara received savings from several Reward Our Heroes™ partners, including:
Tony Burns at Fairway Independent Mortgage in Madison
John Reuter with Integrity Homes (buying and selling representation)
Fidelity National Title for reduced title-related costs
Each partner lowered their fees, offered credits, or adjusted costs — and together, that added up to thousands of dollars back to this hero family.
💙 Why This Matters for Wisconsin Heroes
Most firefighters, child care providers, teachers, nurses, and other local heroes in Wisconsin have no idea programs like this exist.
But the reality is simple:
Heroes often earn less than what their service is worth.
Buying and selling a home can quickly become overwhelming and expensive.
With the right partners, heroes can save thousands — just like Andy and Sara did.
Reward Our Heroes™ exists because we believe: "Our heroes deserve more."
🔎 Voice-Search-Friendly Q&A
"Can retired firefighters in Wisconsin get help buying or selling a home?"
Yes. Retired and active firefighters in Wisconsin can qualify for savings through Reward Our Heroes™. These savings come from reduced real estate commissions, lender credits, and discounted title and service fees.
"Do child care professionals qualify for Reward Our Heroes™?"
Absolutely. Child care providers and early childhood educators are included in our broader group of education and care professionals. If you work in child care and live in Wisconsin, you may qualify for the same savings as teachers and school staff.
"Is this a government or taxpayer-funded program?"
No. Reward Our Heroes™ is not government-funded and does not use taxpayer dollars. The savings come from local professionals — like lenders, Realtors, and title companies — who choose to give back part of their earnings to heroes.
👨🚒 Who Counts as a 'Hero' in This Program?
Reward Our Heroes™ proudly supports:
Firefighters (career & volunteer)EMS & ParamedicsLaw EnforcementMilitary & VeteransNurses & Healthcare WorkersTeachers & School StaffChild Care Professionals
If you serve the community in one of these roles anywhere in Wisconsin, there's a strong chance you qualify for program savings.
📍 Serving DeForest and Communities Across Wisconsin
While Andy and Sara's story is rooted in DeForest, Madison, and Dane County, the program reaches heroes across the state:
DeForest
Madison
Waunakee
Sun Prairie
Middleton
Verona
Beaver Dam
Waupun
And communities throughout Wisconsin
Ready to See What You Could Save?
Are you a firefighter, child care professional, teacher, nurse, police officer, EMS, or veteran in Wisconsin?
Let's find out how much you could save when you buy or sell a home through Reward Our Heroes™.
Request Savings Estimate → Talk to Our Team →
🎓 More Than Savings: Scholarships, Grants & Support
Reward Our Heroes™ is about more than just one closing or one transaction. In addition to homebuying and selling savings, the Foundation also offers:
College scholarships for hero families
Emergency grants for qualified heroes facing hardship
Appraisal Repair Guarantee up to a set amount for needed safety or repair items
Community recognition and support for local heroes like Andy and Sara
The goal is simple: provide scholarships, savings, and support for the people who serve our communities every day.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can retired firefighters still use Reward Our Heroes™?
Yes. Retired firefighters are absolutely eligible. Whether you're active, retired, paid, or volunteer, you can still qualify for homebuying and selling savings through our partner network in Wisconsin.
2. Do child care professionals qualify, or is this just for teachers?
Child care professionals are included. If you care for children in a daycare, preschool, or early childhood setting, you fall under our education and care hero group and can qualify for program savings.
3. How much can I realistically save?
While every situation is different, most Wisconsin heroes save anywhere from $3,000 to $7,500+, especially when they are both buying and selling a home through the program — just like Andy and Sara.
4. Do I have to use specific lenders or Realtors?
To receive the full Reward Our Heroes™ savings, you'll work with our vetted program partners — including local lenders, Realtors, and title companies who have committed to giving back a portion of their earnings to heroes.
5. How do I get started?
The easiest way to get started is to complete a quick form on our website so we can confirm your hero status and connect you with the right partners. There's no cost and no obligation — just information and options.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ What Other Heroes Are Saying
Rated 4.9/5 across 50 reviews from Wisconsin heroes.
"We bought our first home in Madison, WI and saved $4,073 on our closing costs through Reward Our Heroes. John Reuter made the process smooth, reduced the stress of buying, and went above and beyond when financing delays happened. If you're a veteran, nurse, firefighter, police officer, teacher, or healthcare worker, this program is absolutely worth it." — Ryan & Hannah, Madison, WI
Last Updated: December 2025
About Reward Our Heroes™ Foundation Scholarships • Savings • Support for Local Heroes We are a Wisconsin-based nonprofit dedicated to helping military members, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, healthcare workers, teachers, and child care professionals save money on home purchases, home sales, and more. Contact Reward Our Heroes™ Foundation John Reuter, Executive Director / Founder Serving Wisconsin Heroes Statewide Phone: +1-608-492-0515 Email: info@rewardourheroes.com Website: RewardOurHeroes.com Serving Those Who Serve Us — because our heroes deserve more. Real Estate Services: IntegrityHomesWI.com
Keep Reading: Hero Savings Stories
Are you a Wisconsin hero? See how Reward Our Heroes helps you save on a home, or how the home-buying rebate works.
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