Company accepting nominations for local veteran to receive free roof
A longtime Bellefontaine business has found a unique way to honor a local veteran this year for Veterans Day through a special gift that will help keep the military service member’s home in good repair for many years to come.
Lee’s Roofing and Spouting is currently accepting nominations for a free roof giveaway that will be given to a Logan County veteran, with the announcement of the recipient to occur on the Thursday, Nov. 11, national holiday.
The company is inviting area residents to nominate their friends, neighbors and family members, or themselves, if they are a veteran.
Operations Manager Josh Wilcoxon said the gesture is a way that Lee’s Roofing and Spouting can give back to the community, considering the recent difficulties.
“This giveaway isn’t about us, but we wanted to reach out to find a veteran who could benefit from a new roof,” the 1993 Bellefontaine High School graduate said. “Maybe there is a health issue or a financial need that they are experiencing, and a new roof would be a big help to them.
“We know the last year-and-a-half has been tough on everyone, and we wanted to take the chance to give back to our community,” he said.
Individuals can submit nominations through several methods — via e-mail to Wilcoxon at josh; mailing to the office at: 805 E. Columbus Ave., Bellefontaine, OH, 43311; or dropping off at business during regular office hours from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The nominations should include the nominee’s name, address and a contact phone number, and participants are invited to provide information regarding why a new roof would be beneficial for this nominated Logan County veteran.
Nominations should be received by Saturday, Nov. 6, to enable to company to select a free roof recipient in time to announce on Veterans Day.
Lee’s Roofing and Spouting was founded in 1986 by Josh’s brother, Marvin “Lee” Wilcoxon, with their father also serving as a mentor in establishing the business with his background in construction. Since that time, the company has expanded from residential roofing to also providing commercial roofing services as well.
Josh said as a teenager, he assisted his brother with various tasks for the business. Then in 2003, he came to work for the company full-time.
Part of the idea for the roof giveaway was spurred through another generous act that he observed in memory of his friend, the late Bellefontaine Police Officer Craig Comstock.
During July, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation paid off the Comstock family’s mortgage for Craig’s wife and their children, as previously detailed in the Examiner.
“After seeing what a positive impact that gesture had for the Comstock family, it made me think about how we could also make a difference in providing a new roof to someone right here in our community,” Josh said.
Following the giveaway this year, the operations manager said he would love to grow the initiative for veterans in the years to come.
“If it takes off, it would be great to get more of our suppliers involved and be able to do even more with this effort to thank our retired service members.”