(Douglas County Sentinel, June 18 at 1:02am)
A Douglas County veteran and his family will have a proper roof over their heads as a result of a partnership between the Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, Owens Corning and Ridge Valley Exteriors for the Roof Deployment Project.
The three partners were on site Friday morning for the re-roofing project in the Corn Crib Community home of Douglas George, his wife Debra and daughter, Lisa, who have lived in the home for seven years.
David Lovegrove, area sales representative with Owens Corning, said the company has partnered with Habitat for two years and has completed 25 re-roofing projects for veterans all across the country. This project was the first done in Georgia so far, he said. “We’re donating our time to re-roof Mr. George’s home with materials donated by Owens Corning as a way to show gratitude to the veterans who served our country and the families who support them,” said Lovegrove.
Ridge Valley Exteriors of Kennesaw, one of Owens Corning’s independent Platinum Contractors, brought out a crew and provided the labor to re-roof the home.
Before completing the re-roofing project at the George family home, volunteers from the local Habitat for Humanity, which encompasses Douglas, Cobb and Paulding counties to form the Northwest Metro Atlanta Habitat organization, came out and repaired the veteran’s flooring, a bathroom, ceiling repair, clearing the yard and tree removal, along with building a new deck and stairs.
“We had done repairs to the home,” said David McGinnis, president and CEO of the NW Metro Atlanta Habitat chapter. “When we learned about Owens Corning, we submitted his name for the Roof Deployment Project.”
Douglas George served for over a year in the United States Army, but developed medical problems that left him unable to continue in a military career. He has had four strokes in the last four years. Prior to his mounting health issues, he had worked in warhousing driving a forklife and today lives on a fixed income.
George’s wife, Debra, worked diligently to find help for the family’s home, which was in a state of disrepair, when she came upon Habitat for Humanity and sought their help.
“I appreciate what they’ve done for me so much,” said George. “I am so thankful for what they are doing. Everyone has been so nice to us.”