‘A wonderful thing.’ Centre County veteran gets free roof through national project
Gilbert Biggans, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the U.S. Army, received a major upgrade to his Clarence home Thursday through a national program that thanks veterans for their service by installing new roofs and siding for them at no cost.
The Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project started in 2016 and more than 500 veterans have benefited from the program, according to its website. The project recruits the help of local contractors to complete the installations, with Owens Corning paying for the installation materials in their entirety. Starway Roof Systems of Walker Township was tapped for the job, and arrived early Thursday morning to begin installing Biggans’ roof.
Five years ago, Biggans hired a contractor to complete a separate repair job on his roof, but he said the contractors then didn’t do a complete job. They left leaks throughout his ceiling and created what Biggans called a “large money pit” in his wallet.
Soon after being told about the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project by the Centre County Veterans’ Affairs and Purple Heart Homes, Biggans was working with Starway staff to pick out a new roof installation date.
“I couldn’t believe it — this is a wonderful thing that they’re doing for veterans here, especially in a rural country town like this,” the 78-year-old veteran said. “My old roof was shot, had lots of old holes and leaks. ... These gentlemen are doing a great service that I’m very thankful for.”
For a veteran to be eligible for a new roof, they first must meet certain qualifications. Because the program is partnered with Habitat for Humanity, the income requirement for a typical Habitat for Humanity repair/rebuild must be met, which means that they must earn less than around 80% of the area’s median income.
In addition to the financial stipulations, background checks must also be passed, and honorable discharge documentation must be provided.
Once it was determined that Biggans was eligible for the program, Starway’s co-owner Elmer Glick and the rest of the Starway staff immediately hopped on the opportunity. With installations taking place all over the country, this was the first time the project served a veteran in Centre County.
“It feels pretty awesome being here, showing gratitude to a veteran — to someone who really deserves it,” Glick said. “This is actually the first free roof installation that we’ve done with Owens Corning, and actually, this is the first installation that they’ve done in the county, and all the counties surrounding it. Hopefully this one will be the start of many, many more.”
Biggans agreed, and said he hopes other veterans in the area will take advantage of the program.
To sign up for the program, or to sign a veteran up for the program, Owens Corning recommends contacting your local Habitat for Humanity or Veterans Affairs’ organizations.
If you’re unable to contact either organization, Owens Corning can be contacted directly by emailing roofdeployment@owenscorning.com.
