By Dr. Ginger Gabriel – Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
At the close of the June 24 Rebuilding Together work day, President Wayne Palmer announced that GAF Roofing and Copp Roofing & Construction were donating, in response to the Snowmageddon disaster, four new roof systems for snow victims.
Copp project foreman Alonso Cruz on the roof with GAF Timberline shingles, replacing old worn and damaged roofing, to keep John and Beatris warm, safe and dry.
I wanted to know more about this donation. I caught up with Nick Crisp, a 2016 Rim High graduate and Eagle Scout, who now works with GAF Roofing. GAF Roofing is not a stranger to working in disaster-impacted communities. Crisp directed me to the Community tab on GAF’s website. This was not GAF’s nor Copp Roofing’s first donation to the mountain.
GAF is North America’s largest roofing manufacturer. They regularly partner with communities to participate in a program called Community Matters. GAF has a partnership with various nonprofit organizations to work with communities to create disaster resiliency and to aid people who are in need.
The second home to receive a new roof. After much loss, a new roof means it will be safe, warm and dry in the winters to come for Nancy.
In writing this article, I don’t want to minimize the heartache for families who, having lived through Snowmageddon ’23, are still not able to return to their homes. Some homes are still red-tagged and unlivable. In addition to GAF, there are many local heroes who are still helping care for our own unhomed. We all are grateful for sacrifices that are made for our neighbors. We are grateful for the resources GAF has provided to bless our community with four sheltering roofs.
GAF is providing shingles and all the necessary products to provide a complete waterproof roof system for these four homes. Copp Roofing & Construction works closely with GAF and has received much training in the installation of the GAF roof system.
The donation of these roofs is a joint project with GAF supplying the materials for each roof system, while Copp Roofing & Construction supplies the manpower. These are incredible people who seem to dance on roofs while attaching shingles to roofs while shooting nail guns!
George Copp may still hold the record for roofing speed on the job. There are four Rim High graduates working at Copp’s corporate office, which is in Blue Jay. Copp’s is a family-owned and operated business with over 200 years of combined experience in the roofing business. The members of their team of skilled contractors are certified Master Elite and Platinum Preferred roofers. They guarantee that your roof is in good hands. Copp Roofing is part of the 2 percent of roofing companies in North American to be considered GAF Master-Elite.
The crew from Copp Roofing & Construction’s corporate office in Blue Jay: From left back: John, Zach, Kathleen, Nick, Max, Ryan and Bruce. Center left to right: George, Barbie and Daniel.
George’s love for roofing continues to show in the excellent standards the company upholds to this day. When the employees were asked why they work for Copp’s, several answered, “It’s important that people have a good roof over their head to stay safe, warm and dry!”
In Running Springs, Beatris and John have been dealing with a leaky roof and have needed a new roof for a while but were not eligible to secure funds for a new roof. When the offer of four new roofs came, this family was first on Sue Parks’ heart (Parks is the executive director of Rebuilding Together Mountain Communities).
I journeyed to Running Springs with Copp owner, Barbie Copp, and employee Daniel Arroyo to watch a roof being established. This roof was being installed by foreman Alonso Cruz, dancing on the roof. We talked briefly with the owners, who were extremely grateful for their new roof system.
The second house that received a new roof this week was the home of Nancy. Multiple events had happened to Nancy at the same time. Her husband of 60 years passed away, many friends also passed away and her church of many decades folded, leaving her without emotional, physical and economic support. She found another church and is surrounded with a strong supportive group. Then her roof became a problem and she got on Rebuilding Together’s list.
GAF, Copp Roofing and Rebuilding Together came to Nancy’s rescue. Today she will be able to stay warm, safe and dry.
As for the other two roof systems, Parks said they will be completed by the end of the year.
Any chance for a donated roof for the Lake Gregory Yacht Club? The roof collapsed by the snow and the club was not insured. The club has been unable to afford a new roof. The neighborhood would appreciate any help since the yacht club is stuck with this dilemma. Thanks for your consideration.
A donated roof for the yacht club would be wonderful. That is the way to cleanup the storm damage and restore life as it was in the neighborhood. The smell there is now so overwhelming we stay inside.
The Lake Gregory Yacht Club roof collapsed 5 months ago. They were not insured. Since then they brought in a portable fence that does nothing. It does not keep out the transients. It does keep law abiding residents from going inside to see what that awful stench is coming from. The County is slow walking this red tagged property but assured us they are aware of the situation. The six owners of the property are all current members of this yacht club but have little. The property is listed for sale for 225k but that does little for the neighbors that have to choke on the smell and be worried about the transients that are comfortable there. Please if anyone knows these six owners try to get them to do the right thing. Ownership of property should carry some responsibility. There names are listed in the County Tax Website. Thank You
Mr Chisler you are spot on. The situation at the yacht club is getting worse. The collapsed building needs to be repaired or bulldozed. This winter nothing will be done so some of us will not be able to handle the smell any longer and just move.
Since we are leaving the mountain this is my last post. If you care about the neighborhood please visit the San Bernardino Tax Collector website for the current list of the yacht club property owners so if possible try to convince them if their responsibility to do the right thing. It make them feel better about themselves than their neighbors feel about them today. God Bless