A gift of time and talent: Building community through volunteering
For John Rhoden, volunteering is a way to help build community. His roofing company donates its labor to help ensure that Habitat for Humanity homes in Wichita, Kansas, are equipped with strong, durable roofs. “We think back to those in the community that serve us so well throughout the year, and we want to pay it forward,” John says.
John Rhoden, owner of Rhoden Roofing
Making a difference through service
Rhoden Roofing volunteers through the GAF Community Contractor Program with Wichita Habitat, helping to keep homes more affordable.
“As we all know, there’s a rising cost in materials,” says Danielle Johnson, Wichita Habitat’s executive director. “Being able to work alongside GAF really helps lower the cost of the roof.”
In the program, contractors donate their labor by installing roofs built with materials donated by GAF, a Standard Industries company and the largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer in North America.
Because the donated roofs are installed by GAF Master Elite or Certified contractors, they come with a GAF System Plus, Ltd. warranty that includes a lifetime guarantee on shingles and a 50-year warranty on the installation.
“We think back to those in the community that serve us so well throughout the year, and we want to pay it forward.”— John Rhoden, owner of Rhoden Roofing
“GAF has been thrilled to partner with Habitat to help build safe and resilient homes,” says Jeff Terry, vice president of corporate social responsibility & sustainability at GAF. “Through donations of GAF products and the help of our incredible network of contractors like Rhoden Roofing, who so generously donate their construction labor, we hope to help ensure even more families experience the joy and security of having an affordable home.”
Since the inception of the partnership in 2011, GAF has donated more than 3,500 roofing systems to Habitat affiliates across the U.S., impacting more than 14,000 individuals.
This collaboration is part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference as neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities.
A bright new beginning
“I think it’s important for anybody to volunteer,” John says. “But I think it’s especially important for people with skills like roofing, plumbing, HVAC or guttering to help build safer homes.”
Maya (right) receives the keys to the Habitat home she helped build.
So far, Rhoden Roofing has installed 28 roofs with Habitat Wichita, including Maya’s. Prior to moving into her Habitat home, the mother of seven had to keep buckets around her rental to catch leaking water. The roof was “falling apart.”
Maya helped build her Habitat home and was excited to see Rhoden Roofing install the roof. “Watching them put the roof on was very emotional,” she says.
