08/08/2026
This is more than a picture to me—it’s a moment I’ll never forget.
The office received a call one day from someone wanting a roof estimate. Not unusual.
I reached out to the man, and he says “I need you to come look at this roof and give me an estimate for replacement. It is in really bad shape.” Then he says, “Let me know when you’re coming and I can meet you there.” I say ok.
So I set the appointment. I get there early, and within 5 minutes an average-looking older white car pulls up. Nothing fancy by any means.
We both formally introduce ourselves and shake hands. Then he says, “Let’s walk around to the back and see if he is home.”
I’m thinking “what is going on here?”
It’s about mid-day and he knocks on the back door and hollers for his name “Mr. Washington!” over and over but he didn’t come to the door.
He comes back to me to explain what’s going on.
He says that Mr. Washington is a disabled veteran wheelchair bound due to his leg amputation. He met and got to know him through “Meals on Wheels” which is a non-profit where people volunteer and donate warm meals to seniors in isolation and need. I never heard of this until just then.
He goes on to explain that he lives alone. He has no children, no wife, and no family. When it rains, there are places all around the house where water is pouring in, and he had several buckets around the house in attempt to catch all of the intruding water.
He told me that he wanted to help him get his roof fixed by paying for it himself.
Immediately, I was shocked at the act of generosity. I don’t know how many of you have paid for a roof, but they are not cheap at all.
After a few seconds of processing I said, “This is one of the most generous things I have ever heard of, and I want to be a part of it. God bless you for your generosity! I will make this as easy as possible for you so that you don’t have to shop around for prices. I don’t want to make any money in profit on this job. With my management’s permission — I will calculate all of the actual cost for labor and materials, and that will be your price.”
So immediately I call my manager to explain the situation. She says that she had to okay it with upper management. A few minutes later she calls me back and says “Yes, we can do that”
The man finally comes out in his wheelchair with an old torn blanket that was covering him. When I saw him, it just meant even more to me that we make this happen.
I tried to go inside to investigate the leaks, but he would not allow us in because he was so ashamed of his home’s condition. He did not say that, but we knew that was why.
The next day the man agreed on the price, paid the deposit, and we put the roof on schedule.
When we tore off the roof, we spent several hours making repairs to the roof deck and even the rafters. Many had to be scabbed, and some had to be lifted with a hydraulic jack and braced.
I was able to spend some time there that day while the roof was being installed, and that is when I captured this photo of the man and the veteran.
I will frame it and hang it in my home. Because every time I see it — it reminds me of the importance of being a cheerful giver and to be kind to everyone. This man was not rich. And you NEVER know what someone is going through just by their appearance.
In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
God bless this man. I am forever grateful that Hargrove Roofing allowed me to be a part of this great gift. ❤️
