As the holiday season approaches, many children dream of hearing hoofs clicking on their rooftops. But as the economy continues to stutter, we continue to hear of families struggling to pay bills and put food on the table. For these families, keeping a roof over their heads—even if it leaks—is their immediate dream.
Lately, any good economic news locally has been overshadowed by the government shutdown and sequestration which has rattled the confidence of many of our neighbors.
That’s why the Free Roof for the Holidays program my company started more than a decade ago to help deserving families and nonprofits has become more important than ever to our team.
What began as a charitable effort to help thank customers and the community has also now become a tradition that is as valued by our employees as it is by those we help. Last year, we marked the 10th anniversary of the program by giving away two roofs—one to Leesburg widow Ann Harris and the other to Doorways for Women and Families’ Safehouse, the only domestic violence shelter in Arlington.
Having grown up in Vienna and served customers throughout the Northern Virginia region, we are proud to have helped a number of families around the area over the years, including Loudoun school bus driver Barbara Green; Good Shepherd Alliance, a nonprofit serving Loudoun’s homeless; Falls Church Cub Scout House; Herndon-based Gabriel Homes, a nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities; and Bernie Cline, an elderly Alexandria resident.
Although we can’t help everyone, we are still committed to helping where we can. Through our free roof program, we can make the holiday season better for some. However, we need help from the local community to identify a Northern Virginia nonprofit or vulnerable family that needs a new roof.
If you know of someone, let us know by going online to www.dryhome.com and clicking on the nomination form or emailing DryHome at info@dryhome.com by Nov. 30. Please include your name and phone number as well as the nominee’s name, address, phone and reason they are being nominated.
Our goal is to select a recipient by early December so they won’t have to make a choice between fixing a leaky roof and serving a holiday meal. If all goes well, they will have a new rooftop in time for good old Santa Clause. Happy holidays.