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As winter continues its spring fling, Purple Heart Homes' hope of breaking ground on the construction of a new house for Marine veteran Manny Jimenez by early March is gaining momentum.

Since last month, two road races have been scheduled to raise money for the effort, fundraising plastic wristbands have been ordered, and websites and Facebook pages have been created to help get the word out.

"There is a wonderful infectious enthusiasm and great community spirit surrounding this project in Glastonbury for Manny Jimenez. We have a lot of people that have volunteered," Homes spokeswoman Vicki Thomas said.

The Hartford Marathon Foundation has scheduled two races to help raise funds for Jimenez's home. The 10 Penney Ale Shamrock Duathlon 5K will take place in town on May 20. On June 3, the Amica Iron Horse Half Marathon 10K and 5K will be held in Simsbury. Jimenez, of New Britain, who has run several races since returning from Afghanistan, plans to run in the June 3 event.

"The goal is to work with Purple Heart Homes and get runners to go out and get donations to help with the efforts," said Ellen Smith, charity coordinator for the foundation. "He really is an inspiration. If you are an athlete, it's hard to give that up. You don't just give that up."

Jimenez, a corporal in the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marines, and a squad leader in Afghanistan, lost his left arm, the hearing in his left ear and partial sight in his left eye after a bomb detonated nearby. Purple Heart Homes purchased an abandoned lot from the town for $1 and is spearheading the effort to build a three-bedroom, fully handicapped accessible house.

Thomas said Smith Middle School has asked for 1,200 wristbands to sell, while Glastonbury High School seniors hope to sell 500. Students from New Britain High School have also expressed an interest in selling the wristbands.

Purple Heart Homes is working on a fundraising plan to furnish each room in Jiminez's house. A committee was formed to help coordinate the home's interior needs, including drapes and window treatments. The chairwoman of the group is former board of education chairwoman Sue Galvin.

The Rotary Club of Glastonbury, which is coordinating and managing the building of the house, has created a link on their website and on Facebook about the project.

"They were awaiting blueprints for the contractors," Thomas said. "When the blueprints come in, they will have a contractors meeting to discuss materials needed, commitments made to donate time and materials. From that meeting they hope to come up with a list of other building items that will be needed to complete the home."

Thomas said plans are still on track to break ground in early March, with a building schedule of 120 days from groundbreaking to completion. Thomas said a number of events will be planned over the next few months to bring community and volunteers together.