Rotten Roof Replaced for Free

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Retired Navy veteran receives a new roof through the Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project.

From 1962 to 1966, Howard Koenig served in the United States Navy.  He retired in 2016 and now at age 75, he was in dire need of a new roof.  Unable to do the repairs himself he told the Holland Sentinel, “It was only a matter of time before it caved in.”  His single story home in Hamilton, Michigan had multiple leaks that were spreading throughout the surface of the roof.  This meant there was significant rotting underneath, which Koenig knew was dangerous.

Howard learned about the Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project a few years ago when a roof repair was completed for a veteran in Grand Rapids.  Knowing something needed to happen, Howard reached out to Ernesto Villarreal, who works at Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity in Holland as a homeowner services coach, to help him with the process.  Ernesto was happy to help sign Howard up for a new roof. 

Photos by Devin Dely/Sentinel Staff

The Roof Deployment Project is a nationwide initiative, offering free roofs to US veterans in need.  Beginning three years ago, Owens Corning partners with local contractors to complete the job. Dave Sbraccia, sales manager at Owens Corning, disclosed that, “The idea is to pay it forward, a big thank you to our veterans...A lot of us get to live a charmed life.  That’s at an expense, and that expense is through sacrifice.” 

After hearing he was approved for the Roof Deployment Project, Howard was thrilled and relieved.  In his interview with the Holland Sentinel, he expressed, “I am extremely grateful...Being retired on a fixed income, these types of repairs aren’t cheap and it’s hard to come up with the funding to do it.”  

West Michigan Roofing and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity worked together on the installation.  The Holland Sentinel reported that Howard’s house, “...marks their [Owens Corning] sixth roof with West Michigan Roofing, and their first with Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity.”  Typically Habitat focuses more on new home builds, however, Ernesto explained, “...we also have a large part of our work that goes into repairing homes and helping homeowners stay in those homes.”  Providing Howard with a safe and secure roof allowed him to stay in his home without worry.  

West Michigan Roofing employee working hard on Howard's new roof. Photo by Devin Dely/Sentinel Staff

“Howard has been very humbly working with us to see how he can pitch in...I’m sure if it were 15 years ago, he’d be on the roof with the boys right now.  But it’s phenomenal to be able to serve in this way, and I think it’s a reflection of the kind of community that we work in and live in,” Ernesto shared with the Holland Sentinel.

Now Howard doesn’t need to worry about finding the money to pay for roof repairs or having his roof fall apart on him.  The Roof Deployment Project continues to support veterans and provide them with a safe roof over their head. Dave with Owens Corning revealed, “...the project was created with the intention of giving back to veterans who’ve already given their all for their country.”  Howard sacrificed and dedicated a lot of his time and energy to this country and it seems only fitting that he’s provided with a safe place to live.  

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.

Become an Owens Corning Contractor.