Vietnam Veteran Receives New Roof

By Lauren White, RCS.

Habitat for Humanity partnered with Republic Roofing and Restoration to replace a leaking roof.

The last thing anyone wants when it rains is to discover their roof leaks.  For Vietnam War veteran Clifton Boykin, this was his normal. The 25-year-old roof on his Whitehaven home continued to worsen for almost two decades.  With leaks and cracks in the rafters, something needed to be done.

Habitat for Humanity stepped in, along with a local Tennessee roofing company, Republic Roofing and Restoration, to give Boykin a new roof.  According to Greg Webb of Habitat for Humanity, in an interview with WMC, “...we see this all the time.  A lot of seniors, a lot of veterans, people who do not have that disposable income to do the necessary repairs to their home, the home deteriorates quickly.”

Thankfully one of Republic Roofing and Restorations partners, Owens Corning Roofing, realized this issue and did something about it.  They launched an initiative with Habitat for Humanity to “thank heroes by donating and installing new roofs,” Roofing Magazine wrote.  Since it began in 2016 they have provided new roofs for 55 military families in 22 states.  

This program not only helps veterans and military families, but the crews feel good about what they’re doing.  “This is something we do every day, and when you pause for a second and realize you’re giving back to the community it really is something special” stated Michael Ward from Republic Roofing and Restoration to WMC.

Owens Corning donated all the shingles and materials as part of their Roof Deployment Project for Boykin’s new roof.  “We’ve been able to completely redo his roof from the rafter to the decking to the shingles. He’s gonna be dry and either cool in the summer and warm in the winter now” explained Kim Morrison, Habitat for Humanity to Local Memphis.  According to interviews by WMC and Local Memphis, Boykin expressed, “The house is more sturdy.  It will last a while, and it’s been a good experience. It makes me feel a sense of relief, and pretty happy for once...”

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.