JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Volunteers and roofing crews are giving back to those who served our country in Jacksonville through the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, where crews repair houses and replace roofs for veterans.
Veterans like Lawrence Morton Sr., who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
“It’s wonderful with all the frustrations of having to deal with after-service issues, especially health care and such,” said Morton, who reached out to Habitat for Humanity when his roof started failing.
Volunteers and roofing crews gathered Monday to replace Morton’s 20-year-old roof. The effort brought together Owens Corning, Habitat for Humanity and local contractor KayCo Roofing, which handled the inspection, materials and repair work, all at no cost to Morton.
Morton, who was deployed overseas twice, said opportunities like this offer hope, restore his sense of security and show that his service is appreciated.
“It was really a breath of fresh air to get a positive response, not just from the city, but from a company like KayCo, which does this work free of charge,” he said.
Jonathan Geerdes, the operations manager for KayCo Roofing, said the company was happy to take part.
“We’re so grateful for the opportunity to give back to our communities when we can,” he said. “It’s super important that everybody’s doing their part in our community to make it a better place.”
Geerdes said Owens Corning donated the roofing products while KayCo provided the labor for the Jacksonville project.
Organizers said the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project has provided new roofs to more than 775 military families nationwide since it began in 2016.
Locally, KayCo leaders said this is the third veteran they have helped in Jacksonville so far this year.
Organizers and volunteers said replacing roofs for veterans reduces financial burdens and helps ensure veterans can live safely in homes they fought to protect.