Inflation is causing havoc on homeowners in need of repairs to their roofs, while roofing contractors are struggling with the ongoing supply shortages. Nonetheless, the roofing industry finds a way to help those in need.
As material issues and rising costs continue to make headlines around the country, military veterans on fixed incomes or with few options are still in need of safe and dry homes. Thankfully, there are roofing contractors like the ones listed below who are giving back as a way of thanking veterans for their service.
Amazon Roofing Gives Ohio Marine Veteran New Roof
The Toledo Blade reported on how Glenn Walker, like many other Toledoans, are struggling to pay for roof repairs and replacements. But thanks to Amazon Roofing, the Walkers will no longer have to deal with a leaky roof.
Walker, a Marine Corps. and Michigan National Guard veteran, had attempted to obtain assistance taking care of his roof from various programs and organizations. The Lucas County Veterans Service Commission signed off on approving the $13,500 needed for the roofing services. On April 19, Amazon Roofing came to Walker’s home to tear off the old roof and replace it with a new one. There were multiple shingle layers, including the home’s original cedar shake.
"The shingles were older, they were worn, they were ready to go," Rob Ferencz, a veteran who owns Amazon Roofing, told the Toledo Blade.
Army Vet Receives New Roof Through Beacon of Hope
Beacon Building Products is providing new roofs to six veterans in 2022 through its annual Beacon of Hope contest, including Alan D. in Pennsylvania.
ABC-affiliated WNEP was on site as Roof Brothers from Jessup, Pa. installed a new roof free of charge for Alan. Beacon donated the materials for the new roof.
"It's always special when you can help out a veteran. He gave up years of his life to keep everybody safe here," Mike Holley of Roof Brothers told WNEP. "We're just giving up a couple of days of our time to help him out, so we're very happy to do it."
Beacon of Hope asks for submissions from around the country of veterans who deserve a new roof. The company narrows down the list to finalists, with public voting determining the six grand prize winners. Six second prize winners will receive $2,500 each to put toward necessary repairs.
Merritt Roofing, Owens Corning Donate Roof to South Carolina Vet
The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project is still going strong, as seen by the recent donation of a new roof to Rock Hill, S.C., Air Force veteran Joe McFadden, Jr.
CN2 News reports that Merritt Roofing installed the new roof on April 1. Chris Merritt, owner of Merritt Roofing, said that a roof would cost anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000. However, McFadden, Jr., received it for free thanks to Owens Corning donating the materials and Merritt Roofing donating the labor. Their roof was 20 years old.
“It’s imperative that we give back, my father is a veteran, my mother who is no longer with us was a volunteer and we were taught at an early year to give back,” Merritt told CN2.
Since its inception in 2016, more than 325 roof have been installed around the nation by the Owens Corning project.
PeachTree Company Donates Roof with Owens Corning to Air Force Veteran
Not long after Merritt Roofing donated a roof in South Carolina, Peachtree Company in North Carolina teamed up with Owens Corning to provide a new roof to another Air Force veteran.
The Johnston County Report states Purple Heart Homes worked together with Owens Corning and Peachtree Company to select Ralmaranda Best of Princeton, N.C., to receive a roof through the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Program.
The roof installation took place April 8, with Peachtree Company donating the labor.
