Nearly 40 Memphis, Tenn.-area volunteers led by John Bennett, owner of NRCA member Excellent Roofing, Memphis, gathered Sept. 29 to repair The Cottage at Germantown United Methodist Church. The Cottage serves as part of nonprofit Room in the Inn's network of churches that provides free overnight shelter and meals to the homeless.
The project involved removing the old roof system, replacing rotten wood, repairing and replacing the flashing, and installing new shingles. The volunteers also replaced several vent pipes, covers and boots and installed new gutters.
Excellent Roofing donated labor and helped to secure new shingles at cost. About 20 volunteers from Germantown United Methodist Church also helped.
"Our company takes pride in giving back to our community, whether we're building Habitat for Humanity houses or leading apprenticeship programs for nonviolent offenders released from prison," Bennett says. "We have the attitude of serving others and doing our best, and it's especially meaningful to help those who don't have a place to live. That's what Jesus did—servant leadership—and we're proud to do our part."
