Serve One More Inspires Community Partnerships to Give Veteran New Roof

By Kimberley Kuzma

SonBridge Strategic Communications Manager

Air Force veteran Jose Guel and his wife Carmelita had been trying to get their leaking roof repaired for several years. Roofing bids were unaffordable and, after repeated attempts to get a loan fell through, the Guels had resigned themselves to patching the roof on their own and using tarps to try to keep the rain out.

But every time it rained at night, they would wake to water dripping into their living room and bedroom. The ceiling warped and began to mold. The home that served as a gathering place for their family and the children of their neighborhood seemed less like a place of shelter.

“We were waiting for the ceiling to drop on us,” said Jose. “It was getting bad.”

Meanwhile, Paul Rasmussen, a SonBridge founder and longtime volunteer, and Dan Elsom, from SonBridge community partner Elsom Roofing, had just finished a roofing project for a veteran’s family and discussed how much they would like to continue helping veterans in need of new roofs. Mere hours later, they received a call letting them know about the Guels and their leaking roof. 

“We both thought, ‘This is absolutely amazing!’” Rasmussen said. “Dan and I both felt like our conversation was directed by God to prepare us for doing another roof.”

SonBridge began planning the project with Elsom Roofing, who, with support from Upper Columbia Conference’s Serve One More initiative, provided funding for the project. Once the funding was in place, Rasmussen informed the Guels that they would receive more than just patches for their leaking roof. They were being given an entirely new roof. 

“It was like a Godsend,” Jose said. “That roof is our miracle,” Carmelita added.

SonBridge and Elsom Roofing were initially hoping to involve volunteers in the project in keeping with the spirit of Serve One More. But the Guels’ roof was in such bad shape that it was deemed too dangerous for volunteers to work on.

Instead, a dedicated Elsom Roofing crew removed all of the old, water-damaged wood and added new trusses, plywood sheeting, insulation, shingles, and even installed ventilation where it hadn’t existed before.

Everyone involved in the project was touched by the kindness of Jose and Carmelita. Rasmussen coordinated the project and worked closely with the family.

“They are a real pillar in their community,” he said. “They look after tons of kids after school. I’ve been to their home many times now and they’re always full and busy with kids running around. They are a huge hub of support for neighbors and family.”

During the project, that support extended to bringing drinks and donuts to the roofing crew. 

After the roof was completed, Jose sent Rasmussen a heartfelt text. “You don’t know just how grateful we are to you and everyone involved that made this miracle happen. Words just can’t explain how you lifted a harrowing burden off my wife and I.”

“This story belongs to all of us,” said Richie Brower, associate director for Serve One More. “The generosity of our constituents and donors in conjunction with great partners like the team at SonBridge, make extreme generosity like this possible.”

For more stories of extreme generosity, see serveonemore.org

See how SonBridge Center for Better Living is bringing hope and wholeness to its community at sonbridge.org