Marine Corps Veteran Gifted a Brand-New Roof

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

Habitat for Humanity donates a new roof to a veteran in need. 

When U.S. Marine Corps veteran James Marshall Jr. and his wife needed a new roof, they weren’t quite sure how they’d be able to get one. The couple resides in Hillsborough, Florida, a location prone to frequent rain showers, making a sturdy roof a must-have for any homeowner. 

“We had some issues with our roof and much weighed heavy on my mind with trying to save money, along with it being a struggle for quite a while with the pandemic,” James told the Osprey Observer. 

Thankfully, the Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County Florida, Inc. stepped in and saved the day. They selected the Marshall family to receive a new roof through their Veterans Initiative. Nitza Rivera, the program manager for Habitat for Humanity’s Veterans Build program, has great expectations for this initiative. “We hope to help more veterans improve their lives,” said Rivera. 

It’s safe to say that they have been a great help to the family with their gracious donation. James Marshall Jr. expressed immense gratitude for all the people involved in gifting his family their new roof. He said, “I am also thankful for the people like this who are looking out for me because I have fallen on hard times.” 

The roof was installed courtesy of labor from Southeastern Roofing and Construction and materials from Owens Corning. Together, they work with Habitat for Humanity to give veterans new roofs through the Owens Corning National Roof Deployment Project. Since 2016, they have given over 275 military members new roofs. 

Ed Kappaz, the president of Southeastern Roofing and Construction, loves giving back to these members and veterans of the military. “Owens Corning gives us the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough Florida Inc. through this giving back program, which makes me feel good to be able to assist veterans in need,” Kappaz said. 

With the help from these programs and initiatives, James Marshall Jr. and his family no longer have to worry about the roof over their heads. 

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About Evelyn 

Evelyn works as a writer for RoofersCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When she isn’t writing about roofing, she’s either at the gym lifting weights or curled up on the couch watching a movie. 

Photo credit: Osprey Observer