No Roof Left Behind
Thanks to Linda and Rob Barlow,
Dean Vilone and Roger Andrews from El Diablo Burritos​
and everyone else who made the No Roof Left Behind
campaign and install such a success!
Shelby Vaccaro's WDEL article
Big THANKS to Dean Vilone and
El Diablo Burritos for joining us to sponsor
our Installation Celebration!
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Ten years ago, Jesse Walker was an alcoholic and a drug abuser who saw that he needed to make a change in his life. Coming from nothing to owning his own successful business, he was excited at the prospect of giving back to those in his community who were struggling—just like he once was.
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On Tuesday, J.R. Walker Roofing, based out of Wilmington, partnered with a nationwide organization called No Roof Left Behind to give one Wilmingtonian a brand new roof.
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“Giving this roof to Rob, who needed it, is just an honor to be able to give back to the community that feeds me and my family,” said Walker.
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Robert Barlow has lived in his current home for the last six years, but the roof is about 30 years old. His community nominated him for the roof assistance, sharing the story with Walker that, on top of struggling just to keep a roof over his head, in May, he was diagnosed with Leukemia.
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“It feels wonderful, [the roof] was the nightmare I was worried about,” said Barlow. “It is the greatest thing that could have happened to me. [They are] a great group of people.”
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No Roof Left Behind oversaw the structure and process for installation, but all the money for the project came out of Walker's own pocket.
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“[The roof] looks good and it gives the house a better curb appeal than it did,” said Walker. “It feels great to give back to the community."
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Walker said even though this is only his first year of giving back, he looks forward to making it an annual event.
A lifelong New Castle County resident is giving back to his community by putting a roof over the heads of those in need.
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Jesse Walker is the owner J.R. Walker Roofing in Wilmington, and recently announced his company's involvement in the 'No Roof Left Behind' campaign—a nationwide initiative which provides a new roof free of charge to deserving homeowners throughout local communities.
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"Putting a new roof on a house is one of the most expensive home improvement projects to take on, and some people aren't financially fit for it," Walker said in an interview with WDEL. "The goal is to try and bring the community together a little bit while helping out somebody that needs it."
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Nominations are being accepted through October 1 at noroofleftbehind.com, after which four finalists will be chosen and a public vote will open to determine which nominee is the most deserving. Anyone can nominate themselves or someone they know, as long as the nominee is a homeowner living in New Castle County and current on their mortgage payments.
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Walker said he's excited contribute to the county in a positive way.
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"As the owner of a small, local business I know the community is what feeds us, so it's an honor to be able to do something like this."
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While this is J.R. Walker Roofing's first year participating the the campaign, Walker said he plans to continue the No Roof Left Behind initiative annually through his company.
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Published Sep 10, 2017 at 9:00 am | Updated Sep 10, 2017 at 11:31 pm