New Roof for Germantown Log Cabin

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Popular Young Life meeting center receives an updated roof.

On Poplar Avenue in Germantown, Tennessee sits a log cabin frequently visited and loved by many.  Each week between 50 and 100 kids gather under the same roof. However, it came to the attention of a few individuals that the roof could use an upgrade.

David Skinner, Germantown resident, helped initiate getting a new roof.  His son Austin had spent time at the cabin as part of a Young Life program and had fond memories there.  Wanting to give back, David spoke with the Young Life area director, Joel Brantley. “(The old roof) was on our radar...But it wasn’t leaking.  It was just kind of crummy, old and worn out, and it was missing shingles,” Joel told the Daily Memphian.  

Knowing that, David’s next call was to his friend Troy Fiveash of 5Ash Roofing.  Between David and Troy, the roof was taken care of.  The Daily Memphian reported, “Others were willing to help if more funds were needed, but the two were able to cover it.”

The new shingles are made out of a weathered wood material.  This is a quality product that won’t allow algae to collect and ultimately discolor the shingles, which commonly happens on older roofs.  Knowing how many kids use the cabin each week, Troy explained in his interview with the Daily Memphian, “It’s a way to help a lot of people with one thing.”

Although the cabin is owned by Forest Hill Civic Club, Young Life Ministries is the primary user.  Young Life is a non-profit Christian youth organization that hosts meetings weekly for high school students.  “Young Life students from Houston High School, Evangelical Christian School and Briarcrest Christian School meet there weekly, and Young Life students from other schools have met at the cabin in previous years.  The ministry works in more than 20 schools countywide,” according to the Daily Memphian.  

“It’s the happiest place in Germantown for some kids,” Clay Thompson told the Daily Memphian.  Clay leads Young Life at Houston High. Having been involved in the ministry in high school, Clay remembers the cabin as a “safe place.”  He explained, “The cabin represents this tiny square in Germantown. (It was) somewhere, when I was in high school, I could go in, forget about my stress...Now, I’m able to give that to someone else.”

Clay isn’t the only one fond of the cabin.  David’s connection to the property goes beyond his son’s memories at the cabin.  The building used to be a community center before the area was annexed into Germantown.  “His [David’s] grandfather owned the land and cabin and donated it to the civic club,” the Daily Memphian reported.  David remembers having potlucks at the cabin for the Fourth of July. He’s happy the cabin has continued to be used and he supports the work Young Life does for kids, sharing, “It’s such a good cause.”

Thanks to David and Troy with 5Ash, visitors to the cabin will be able to gather under a new roof.  Joel shared with the Daily Memphian, “It’s a tremendous gift...I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.” Now kids have a safe place where they can continue attending weekly meetings and making memories.  

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.