NEW ORLEANS – A retired New Orleans senior citizen recently got a new roof thanks to a partnership between building materials manufacturer CertainTeed and Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO). In February, volunteers with RTNO rebuilt the roof of 69-year-old Betty Johnson’s two-generation family home using Landmark shingles donated by CertainTeed.
RTNO is a localized affiliate of the national nonprofit organization Rebuilding Together, and uses professional and volunteer labor to revitalize and perform crucial repairs on the homes of low-budget and fixed-income seniors, veterans, disabled persons and single parents with children, living in and around New Orleans. According to RTNO director William Stoudt, the shingle donation came about as a result of International Roofing Expo (IRE) officials reaching out to CertainTeed on RTNO’s behalf. IRE 2018 took place in February in New Orleans.
“We jumped on the opportunity,” said Stoudt. “CertainTeed makes some of the best shingles in the industry, so it was great for us to be able to pass that on to our homeowner.”
Johnson, a retired state employee living on a fixed income, approached RTNO when she was faced with the daunting task of replacing her entire roof. According to Stoudt, Johnson received several repair quotes that were more than her entire annual income.
“She told us she had a roof leak, but it was roof failure,” said Stoudt. “You could see straight through her attic, to the point that one side of her home was unlivable. You could see light from her bedroom all the way to the roof. She was at risk of having to put her home on the market. When we told her CertainTeed stepped up and was going to donate the shingles, she was at a total loss for words.”
Stoudt said the donation of shingles from CertainTeed gave RTNO the ability to make other critical repairs to the home, including drywall and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) repairs.
Tom Smith, president of CertainTeed Roofing, said the donation well-suits CertainTeed’s overall community support efforts, which include funding scholarships for students pursuing construction trades, donating materials to help build mortgage-free homes for veterans, and support to other community housing programs like RTNO.
“The fact that we could be in the right place at the right time and team with RTNO to help a person in need is really gratifying,” said Smith. “We all believe everyone deserves to live in a safe home, so we were happy to support this great cause.”
“I love it, I love it, I love it,’ said Johnson. “I don't know how to show my appreciation to you all for the gifts you have given me. With the roof leaking and the mold and I was worried I was going to have to move, but now I'm so relieved I'll be able to get my life back to normal.”
