Community Comes Together to Re-Roof Local Home

By Richie Brower

Associate director for Serve One More

In a powerful act of compassion and teamwork, Upper Columbia Academy (UCA) Church, HOPE Taskforce, and Upper Columbia Academy students and staff came together to bless a local resident, Lora, with a much-needed new roof. What began as a small community initiative soon grew into one of the largest projects the team had ever undertaken.

Lora’s home was in critical need of repairs — so much so that daylight was visible through the ceiling in her bathroom. Recognizing the urgency, HOPE Taskforce collaborated with UCA Church to make the re-roofing project a reality. Lake City Roofing stepped up by generously donating all roofing materials, and additional expenses were covered by the Serve One More project fund.

“This is probably our biggest project thus far that the HOPE Taskforce and UCA volunteers have undertaken,” said Tekoa City Clerk/Treasurer Eliza Evans-Teague. “Just coming for a morning or afternoon may not seem like that big a deal, but that opens people’s eyes to a bigger world of people who care about them.”

Led by UCA Bible teacher Sid Hardy, the team of volunteers committed their Sundays and evenings to the task. Their dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Neighbors observed the transformation and offered words of encouragement, with one neighbor bringing out a roof shovel and asking if he could donate it to help with the project. “As long as it’s used to help people and I never have to see it again!” He said cheerfully. 

Though the project was demanding, the spirit of service kept morale high. Students, faculty, and church members worked side by side, hammering, hauling, and repairing — united by a common goal to improve someone’s quality of life.

Beyond fixing a roof, the initiative served as a lesson in love, service, and community engagement. For many of the students, this hands-on experience showed how small actions, when multiplied by many, can lead to lasting change.

Now, with a secure roof over her head, Lora can breathe a little easier. As for the volunteers, the reward goes far beyond the physical work — it lies in knowing that their efforts made a meaningful impact.

This project stands as a testament to what is possible when community members, organizations, and local businesses come together with a shared purpose. As the HOPE Taskforce and UCA look ahead, their commitment to service remains strong — one roof, one home, and one heart at a time. It’s just one more example of what’s possible when we Serve One More.

Watch the video story of this project at news.uccsda.org/tekoaroof725.