Giving back during back-to-school season

By Jenny Yu. 

Three roofing companies donate to their communities while students return to classrooms. 

As carpools and packed lunches reenter the daily routine, these roofing companies are taking the opportunity to help those in need.  

After tragedy, a community comes together 

At the Eddington Center in Asheville, North Carolina, John McClung Roofing partnered with several organizations including ABC Supply for their annual Backpack Giveaway event. This year, they were able to fill close to 800 backpacks with school supplies for students across western North Carolina — their greatest amount so far.   

“Especially this year after Hurricane Helene has ravaged our community, the need is greater than ever,” event organizer Darien Brown told ABC News 13. “With budget cuts to schools, teachers are often having to provide the school supplies for their own students. So, this is our way of hopefully alleviating some financial stress both on teachers and on parents." 

In addition to providing backpacks for students, the event also provided teachers with much needed supplies to prepare for the beginning of the school year.  

A growing commitment to community 

About 200 miles southwest of Asheville, another roofing company worked to provide support for its local students.  

Last year, Rodriguez Roofing Solutions, a family owned roofing company with over 15 years of experience in the industry, provided 100 children with school supplies. This year, they upped the ante, hoping to sponsor 200 children. With their planning and gathering of materials, they actually surpassed this goal and were able to triple last year’s number, providing 300 kids with school supplies this time around. In helping 200 more students, Rodriguez Roofing Solutions shows their continued commitment to their community. 

Starting the school year under a new roof 

In High Springs, Florida, Worthmann Roofing and Gutters installed two roofs free of charge. One roof went to Michael Shelton and his family, including four young kids, whose home was in desperate need of replacement. 

“Whenever it was raining outside, it was raining inside,” Michael Shelton told WCJB 20. “They just came and gave it to us. You can only be thankful because we would’ve been doomed without it. Another hurricane, we probably would’ve had a tree through it, or the wind probably would’ve thrown it off. It was bad.”  

Shawn Batey, sales manager for Worthmann Roofing and Gutters, shared, “It’s the greatest feeling ever. Giving back to the community and helping somebody in need is, I believe, what our purpose is here on Earth.” 

This roof is Worthmann’s seventh, as they try to provide a roof free of charge to family in need every year.