The roofing industry doesn't back away from helping those in need, and when it comes to taking care of those who served our country in the military, there are hundreds of contractors who are doing good work in their communities.
As the country remembers those who have served during Memorial Day weekend, roofing contractors have worked to make a difference in the lives of veterans. RC has gathered just a few of those efforts to highlight how contractors have donated their time and labor to provide new roofs free of charge.
SOS Roofing Provides New Roof for South Carolina Veteran
Multiple roofing companies teamed up to help out South Carolina resident Quincy Parsons, who served in the military for 23 years, to replace the veteran’s leaky roof.
In a story from NBC-affiliated KCBD, it’s reported that Parsons had to use tarps on his roof along with pots and buckets inside the house to manage leaks at his Georgetown County home. Upon learning of his plight, the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization stepped in to help.
They coordinated efforts with GAF, Atlantic Roofing Supply and Winyah Lumber to donate the supplies needed to replace the roof. SOS Roofing donated the labor to install the roof, all at no cost to the Parsons.
“We couldn’t ask for anything better from the guys doing this, they donated everything,” Melinda Parsons told KCBD.
Admiral Custom Roofing Fixes 101-year-old Veteran’s Roof
In Tipton, Tenn., Admiral Custom Roofing helped a 101-year-old veteran who needed a new roof.
According to ABC-affiliated WREG, John Abbott is a World War II merchant Marine and post-war U.S. Army veteran. His home sustained damage over the winter, enough that his roof was caving in and needed repairs.
When they heard of the situation, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association jumped into action to help. They called various companies, including Admiral Custom Roofing.
"[They] wanted a price on a roof for a veteran," Owner Roger McMullen told WREG. "I said, 'No, I’m not gonna give you no price. I’m gonna get with some companies.'"
A total of 43 companies participated in repairing the roof. McMullen said his grandfather was a WWII vet, so he was familiar with what veterans like Abbott went through.
“Mr. Abbott was there for our country when we needed him, so it’s our duty to be there for him in his time of need,” McMullen said.
Just Roofs and Gutters Fixes Colorado Veteran’s Roof
A story from ABC-affiliated KDRO shares how Michael Stockwell, an Army veteran, has been living in the same Colorado Springs home for the past 26 years that was built in 1919. When he couldn’t afford a new roof, he turned to the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity Home Repair Program.
"I checked a couple of times and couldn't afford it at the time and then I saw Habitat for Humanity doing a house behind me and I started looking into it after that," Stockwell told KDRO.
The program included assistance from the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project. Brian Friend, a Marine veteran and owner of Just Roofs and Gutters, provided the labor needed to fix the roof.
“The average roof in Colorado is $25,000, and this roof is not a $25,000 roof but it’s substantially expensive, and we’re very proud to be in a position where we can do that,” Friend told KDRO. “To help out a fellow veteran is exciting, I love being able to do it.”
Navy Widow Receives New Roof from Neighborhood Roofing
Virginia Kennedy, the wife of late U.S. Navy veteran Darwin Kennedy, received a new roof thanks to the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project and Neighborhood Roofing.
ABC13 was on site to capture the work being done on the Adrian, Mich. home. The Roof Deployment Project, started in 2016, has Owens Corning contractors team up with organizations like Habitat for Humanity to provide new roofs at no cost to veterans.
“She had gotten a letter from her insurance company that stated they were going to drop her because her roof was too old, so luckily we were able to fill out the paperwork that was necessary and partner with Owens Corning,” Wendy Knox, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County, told ABC13.
More than 500 veterans have received a new roof thanks to the program.
Wisconsin Vet Gifted New Roof by WeatherPro Exteriors
In April, WeatherPro Exteriors teamed up with the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project to donate a roof to Navy veteran David Wujcik as a gesture of gratitude for his service.
Fox-affiliated WITI spoke with the veteran, who served overseas as a photojournalist. He couldn’t afford a new roof for his home in Muskego, Wis., so the Roof Deployment Project did what it does best and recruited WeatherPro Exteriors to help install a new roof.
"We love giving back," Brad Kaul, WeatherPro Exteriors Project Manager, told WITI. "What better opportunity to give back to somebody that is a veteran and the time that he served for our country?"
