A New Roof for a Veteran in Need

By Alec Doniger. 

Veteran expresses deep gratitude for his free new roof and the organizations that made it possible. 

As the director for the Veterans Service Resource at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, Zach Magnas is normally helping other veterans in need. This time, however, Zach was the one in need. Weather damage had compromised the safety of his home in 2019. When he filed an insurance claim for the damage, it was denied. His roof had been leaky ever since, and its condition was gradually worsening.  

“In the last two years, we’ve had tarps over it,” Zach explained to KNSI. “And still, water would leak in and get in between the walls and above our fireplace. And it started rotting a little bit and we started seeing the mold. I couldn’t do much about it at the time. And I just started praying about it actually.” 

When he discovered Purple Heart Homes, an organization that helps veterans in housing crises, he could tell his prayers had been answered. Purple Heart Homes partners with the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project to provide veterans with new roofs at no cost. Magnus’ new roof is one of about 325 other roofs gifted to veterans through the project. Advantage Construction Inc. in East Bethel installed the roof.  

Zach has an abundance of gratitude for all who were involved in making this roof installation possible. 

“The fact that they’re going out of their way to supply my family with a new roof is pretty fantastic. And I don’t know how to describe it. It’s just amazing...” Zach shared. “I see a lot of people saying that they want to help out our veterans and our military folks. And when the time comes to step up, sometimes you just don’t see that. So, when I see companies, businesses and organizations that actually truly mean it, it’s just fantastic to see.” 

It is touching to see how much respect these organizations have for veterans. Without help, it would have cost the Magnas family upwards of $40,000 to replace the 3,900 square-foot roof. Owens Corning and Purple Heart Homes have greatly increased the quality of life for Zach and his family.  

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. 

About Alec 

Alec is a reporter for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskaRoofer. When he isn’t investigating the state of the roofing industry, you might find him playing drums with his bands in Denver. 

Photo credit: KNSI