‘Tis the Season of Giving in the Roofing Community

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter.  

Learn how the roofing community gives back through foundations and education in this heartwarming Coffee Conversations. 

Season 3, Episode 6 of Coffee Conversations, sponsored by ABC Supply, hits home with an episode on giving back through roofing foundations.  

Join Heidi J. Ellsworth and Trent Cotney with foundation representatives including Dave Lawlor, president of the Roofing Alliance; Chuck Chapman, chairman of Davis Memorial Foundation; Mike Silvers with the FRSA Educational & Research Foundation and George Patterson of the Chicago CRCA Foundation to talk about what charity means in the roofing industry.  

Listen in to hear our panelists speak passionately about the top way to secure the next generation of roofers through giving back to foundations that support scholarships, research and education. Trent and company discuss how supporting the roofing industry this way helps new and old roofing professionals alike grow professionally and thrive in our industry.  

Trent kicks off the conversation by addressing why giving back is such a huge part of the roofing industry, highlighting how working with these foundations helps the industry rise to new heights while grounding the growing industry in what really matters.  

“Being involved with each of these organizations intimately is a great opportunity for me to focus on what's truly important,” says Trent. “We have all got to make a living, we've all got to make money, we all have to deal with the day to day, but for me, it's about being able to affect positive change. I think the foundations are the perfect way to do that in our industry.” 

Chuck, chairman of the Davis Memorial Foundation concurs with Trent, affirming that giving back through foundations “is really, truly dear and near to my heart as well because I've been in this industry for a little longer than I would like to admit, so it's only fair and I really truly believe that it's a great way to give back.”  

Among conversations of gratitude to work in an industry that is so centered on doing good within the community, quite a few panelists express the huge amount of good these foundations do for the industry as a whole.  

“It's all an uplifting experience and I'm very, very proud to be here and to help the conversation,” adds Dave. “Since 1996, the Roofing Alliance has committed and allocated a large sum of money, $5.8 million to different research, education, technical programs, et cetera. All that to say the Alliance makes a very significant impact on the roofing industry as we look toward our next 25 years.” 

Other panelists similarly discuss ways that their foundations are making a positive change in the community. George Patterson of the Chicago CRCA Foundation talks about what the roofing community's focus on charity has meant in terms of scholarships. “We give out annually about $25,000 in scholarships and it's recurring for four years,” says George. 

John of the FRSA adds that his foundation similarly uplifts the roofing community. “We were able to give out 21 scholarships and that comes from the different fundraisers we do, the members of the foundation, the endowment,” says John. “We also produce roofing-specific seminars and provide the information that really matters to the contractors.” 

“We happen to have an endowment with the University of Florida called the Earl Blank Endowment that helps fund all kinds of research having to do with roofing,” adds Mike. “But often we join together with the Florida Building commission, the University of Florida and FRSA to look at different issues that are affecting the roofing industry.” 

The entire day of this Coffee Conversations, Cotney Construction Law matched donations made to these four roofing foundations up to $2,500 per foundation. Learn more about each of the charitable programs during this unique and exciting Coffee Conversations!   

Listen to the entire podcast to hear the heartwarming ways these companies are giving back to their communities and make sure to donate and spread the love to the industry!