Brandon Veteran Gets New Roof Donated After 3 Years Of Damage – Brandon, FL Patch

BRANDON, FL For three years, Air Force veteran Sonia Marquez had to improvise by using buckets throughout her house to catch the leaking water that fell from her roof that was ruined in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. The damage got so bad that she couldn't use the entire space in her three bedroom home.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. in March, the roofing problem caused her to feel even more confined when she quarantined inside her home because she could only use about 70 percent of her house. She only went into the rooms that experienced the leaking to check the level of water in the buckets, and empty them if needed. It had already been financially difficult enough for her to afford a new roof and the pandemic wasn't helping but piling on problems.

Feelings of stir-craziness, worries about health concerns from mold issues inside her home, fire hazard concerns and just being tired of the situation caused Marquez to put her stubborn veteran pride aside and ask for help. Special Projects Coordinator Irene Morejon with Consumer and Veterans Services of Hillsborough County answered her call for help, and reached out to Veterans Build Coordinator Nitza Rivera with Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County. Morejon asked, "Hey, we have a veteran who has fallen on some financially hard times and is really in need of a roof right now. Can you help?"

Rivera, who is a retired master sergeant with the U.S. Army, started to put the people together that would help Marquez get a new roof. Two years ago, the veterans initiative with Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County was founded and that's when they began putting partnerships in place with organizations that could help veterans. One of the partners is Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project who since the founding of this program in 2016 has provided over 180 roofs to service members. Owens Corning Roof also has a partnership with local roofing company, Gale Force Roofing and Restoration.

All the above listed organizations showed up at Marquez's Brandon house early in the morning on May 19 and started ripping the old roof off, and by the end of the day she had a new roof installed for free by the kindness of these individuals.

As the roofers worked, Marquez stood in front of her house with tears of happiness flowing down her face and said, "Thanks to the veterans programs, and Ms. Irene, Ms. Nitza and Mr. Alex from Gale Force Roofing is helping sponsor the work on my roof so that now during the COVID-19, I can stay safe at home and use 100 percent of my home."

Co-owner Alex Dewey of Gale Force Roofing donated the labor to this project. After he heard about a roofing company in Columbus, Ohio, partnering with Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project and what they were doing for veterans, he took the opportunity to help.

"We've had a long-standing relationship with our manufacturer, Owens Corning, and they had presented this opportunity to myself, and I was excited for the opportunity," Dewey said.

Chief Operating Officer Ron Spoor of Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County showed up to Marquez's house to support the project.

"Nitza joined our staff a few years ago after retiring from the military, and she has really led our veterans initiative and really introduced a real focus on veterans, so we really appreciate her and her service," said Spoor. "She's connected us with veterans and with partners like Gale Force Roofing and Owens Corning so it's been a privilege for us to get to know a lot of people."

In the past year, Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County has helped install seven roofs to local service members.

If you are a veteran in need of help or if you know of a veteran who could use some sort of assistance, visit Hillsborough County Consumer and Veterans Services or Veterans Initiative Habitat for Humanity Hillsborough County.

If you are a veteran who might be having a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call the Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 or send a text message to 838255 or chat online.

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Brandon Veteran Gets New Roof Donated After 3 Years Of Damage - Brandon, FL Patch