Lisbon veteran gets new roof
Nathaniel Railing, a veteran of the U.S. Army had a new roof installed at no cost Tuesday by Boak & Sons and Owens Corning in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley. He is the first beneficiary in the Mahoning Valley of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, a nationwide program which sees Owens Corning collaborate with their Platinum Roofing Contractors and local housing support organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Purple Heart Homes to give back to veterans in need. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) photo 1
Railing, center, said he felt the project was a testament not only to Boak & Sons and Owen’s Corning, but to the community at large for fostering businesses committed to giving back to local veterans. (Submitted photo courtesy of Sydney Witmer)
Nathaniel Railing, a veteran of the U.S. Army had a new roof installed at no cost Tuesday by Boak & Sons and Owens Corning in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley. He is the first beneficiary in the Mahoning Valley of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, a nationwide program which sees Owens Corning collaborate with their Platinum Roofing Contractors and local housing support organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Purple Heart Homes to give back to veterans in need. (Photo by Morgan Ahart) photo 1
Railing, center, said he felt the project was a testament not only to Boak & Sons and Owen’s Corning, but to the community at large for fostering businesses committed to giving back to local veterans. (Submitted photo courtesy of Sydney Witmer)
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LISBON--A local veteran had a new roof installed at no cost through a veteran support program Tuesday.
U.S. Army Sgt. Nathaniel Railing had the roof of his home replaced by Boak & Sons and Owens Corning in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Mahoning Valley Tuesday, all at no cost.
The project was part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, a nationwide program which sees Owens Corning collaborate with their Platinum Roofing Contractors and local housing support organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Purple Heart Homes to give back to veterans in need. Materials for the project were donated by the Owens Corning Foundation, and Boak & Sons donated its time and labor for the installation.
Owens Corning Senior Area Sales Manager for the great lakes region Mike Manges said that since the program's inception in 2016, the Roof Deployment Project has provided new roofs for more than 870 veterans. He explained that after local partners like Habitat qualify applicant Owens Corning presents the project to their highly vetted platinum contractors which coordinate the details and time of installation.
Railing said that he was grateful to Boak & Sons and Owens Corning, and that it was a testament to both companies that they were willing to give back to veterans and current service members. He said that he learned about the program through social media and that once he contacted Boak & Sons, the entire process took roughly two months.
"It's a credit to them and their patriotism to give back to their community, especially to veterans. I think its very important other veterans see that there are patriotic organizations out there that want to serve them. It gives a sense of pride to me and all veterans," Railing said.
Manges and Boak & Sons Project Manager Bill Green said that supporting veterans was a core value of both organizations and was emblematic of their gratitude for their service. Both Manges and Green said they were proud to give back to veterans and their local communities.
"As a veteran myself, it's fantastic to work with my own company to support veterans and customers. It really gives you a special sense of purpose, especially with projects like these where you get to have a personal connection," Manges said.
"I love it. Nate risked his life for us by joining the army. He was willing to give his life for me and my family, and now we have the opportunity to keep him and his family safe by putting this roof on for him. It's wonderful to work for a company that prioritizes projects like this to give back," Green said.
Manges said that Railing was the first beneficiary of the Roof Deployment Project in the Mahoning Valley, and that there would likely be more to follow. Manges explained that typically after the first recipient in an area is selected, local media coverage of the installation spreads awareness of the program in the area, which prompts subsequent applications. He also said that when presented with the project Boak & Sons "jumped all over it and asked for more."
Green said that after meeting with Nate for the first time he told Boak & Sons Owner Sam Boak that he felt it was an ideal project. He said that projects which give back to the communities they serve are a core and ongoing aspect of Boak & Sons identity, noting that they had also donated their services during the remodel of the War Vet Museum in Canfield in 2015.
"He was immediately in; he didn't hesitate for one second," Green said.
Green and Manges also said that the Roof Deployment Project only works with platinum preferred accredited contractors, and that Boak & Sons was the first contractor to earn that distinction in northeast Ohio more than 15 years ago. Manges explained that the designation was the highest level of Owens Corning's internal contractor vetting program. He said that regional representatives will evaluate the reputation of a contractor and their work from the communities they serve and supplement those evaluations through organizations like the Better Business Bureau.
"In Ohio, the only way we know what contractors are reputable is by building and maintaining trust in their work," Manges said.