4 contractors who are paying it forward roof by roof

By Emma Peterson.  

All over the U.S., roofers are showing up for their communities and keeping them safe under new roofs. 

A roof is crucial to homeowner safety, but it’s a huge investment that is beyond the reach of many. As people across the country struggle with everything from rising grocery costs to medical bills, a roof is often the straw that breaks the camel’s back. But the roofing industry is stepping up to help the communities that have supported them. 

Photo source: The Journal Gazette 

1 - Oberg Roofing and Remodeling and Steve Lindberg 

In Minnesota, the Oberg Roofing and Remodeling company was proud to help a community member when a storm made his home unsafe. This damage was the last thing that Mary and Steve Lindberg needed. Steve, a veteran of the Air Force, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer six years ago and they were trying to focus on their family. Steve told KNSI, “It has its ups and downs. But, you know, the good Lord is taking care of me and taking care of my family. We just go through it one day at a time.”  

They didn’t know where the funds for the necessary shingle repairs were going to come from as their insurance wasn’t covering it, but their community stepped up. Their assistant pastor nominated them for the Oberg Military Vet Rood Rescue, and they were selected! The Oberg Roofing crew replaced the hail-damaged shingles in October and took the extra time to get some of the yard work done for the couple so that they could focus on their family. Steve feels blessed by the care his community extended and grateful for the safety it provided, “Our home is our home. It’s a place that we can have as a safe haven. It’s wonderful.” 

Photo source: KNSI 

2 – Angelo’s Roofing and Construction and Jeanne Mihalic 

For three years, Angelo’s Roofing and Construction has taken the annual celebration of Veterans Day as a moment to pause and focus on giving back to those who have given their all for our country. The company partners with their local veteran services director, Joe Benacci, and the VFW to find a veteran needing a new roof, like Jeanne Mihalic. Then they install that roof free of charge.  

This is truly a community effort. The supplies come from B & L Supply, the dumpster needed for the job site came from Pro Waster and promotional materials were provided by local shops. Andy Vinca, owner of Angelo’s Roofing, told YourEerie, “We had different friends and family and relatives that have been veterans. And we just feel like once a year is a good time to provide a free roof for a veteran. It’s really to raise awareness for what the veterans do for us and how as a community, we really want to chip in the best we can. 

3 - Roof Deployment Project and William Jones 

The Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project has been sending materials to repair veterans’ roofs around the country to companies since 2016. Their goal is to help local contractors support their local veterans, and they were recently able to continue fulfilling that goal by helping William Jones. William is a Vietnam Army Veteran who wasn’t sure how he was going to get his roof repaired. He told KOAA NEWS5, “It's very hard sometimes to reach out for help when you're a veteran.”  

But he did and the local Habitat for Humanity coordinated the assistance and got him a reroof from the Roof Deployment program. Their volunteers made quick work of the re-framing and re-shingling needed for his roof, thanks to the donated materials. William never expected the level of support and help he received, explaining, “There were so many people that wanted to help. That they were literally standing in line to give me help.”  

Leah Cowles, the home repair manager at Habitat for Humanity, was thankful for the program's assistance, sharing, “We're so thankful that William reached out and we hope that this can communicate to other veterans that there are people who want to help you, even if it's small things.” William echoed that thought, saying, “If I can help get that news to other veterans that they do have a place where they can get help, that's what I'd like to do.” 

Photo source: KOAA NEWS5 

4 – Maumee River Roofing, Shawnee Construction and the Northeast Indiana YWCA   

The YWCA of Northeast Indiana supports their community by creating a space for people escaping domestic violence and for people seeking addiction recovery aid. To support this effort, they were funding a major construction project on a building called Don Hall’s Guesthouse. This project is a huge step for the organization. It will allow their services to be consolidated in one location for easy access and create housing for up to 100 people who need their help. According to Paula Hughes-Schuh, CEO of YWCA Northeast Indiana, the entire costs for renovating, converting and equipping the building was $16.7 million.  

So, when workers from Shawnee Construction noticed rotting wood from a roof leak when working on the project, the YWCA didn’t know if the project was going to stay on track. The estimated work needed based on this discovery was an additional $10,000. Matt Schenkel of Shawnee Construction explained the dilemma to The Journal Gazette, saying, “We know that the YWCA is on a limited budget.” 

The crew at Shawnee conferred with the other crew working, from Maumee River Roofing, and found a way to help the YWCA out. Through a partnership with ABC Supply Inc. to get materials, they replaced the unexpectedly damaged roof for the organization. Matt explained the reasoning, “The YWCA does a lot of good work around the city, helping other people, so this was an opportunity for us to help.” Echoing that was Megan Ranney, Maumee’s chief of staff, “We want to partner with other organizations who are making an impact in our community.” 

Photo source: The Journal Gazette