DALTON, Ga.–Mohawk’s retailer convention ended on a high note Saturday with a surprise appearance from war hero and recently crowned Dancing with the Stars champion J.R. Martinez, who unveiled a partnership between the company and Operation Finally Home, a non-profit organization providing custom-made, mortgage-free homes for America’s war wounded.

Mohawk will donate flooring for all 16 of the houses Operation Finally Home will build in 2012.

“Helping Mohawk’s aligned and independent retailers invest in the American dream is one of our big initiatives for 2012, and this is a meaningful and important way we can do that,” said David Duncan, senior vice-president of marketing at Mohawk. “It is an absolute privilege to partner with Operation Finally Home to help wounded heroes transition from the battlefront to the home front. Having J.R. at our convention to kick-off the partnership and share his personal story is just the icing on the cake.”

Martinez, a United States Army veteran who serves as the official spokesperson for Operation Finally Home, told aligned retailers that Mohawk’s donation will change the lives of some of America’s most deserving wounded service members, disabled veterans and widows of fallen soldiers.

“The physical and emotional struggles you experience after an attack in combat seem insurmountable at first, and you question if you’ll ever be able to hope for anything again,” said Martinez. “People helping other people in need—that’s what restores hope and makes this country great. My life would not be what it is today if it weren’t for programs like Operation Finally Home that helped me when I needed it most. I am absolutely delighted that Mohawk shares this passion and believes in helping soldiers in need, too.”