Southern Roofing and Renovations this year helped put a roof over the head of a Clarksville wounded warrior, and for company owner Oswaldo “Junior” Barajas, that’s only the beginning.
“We want to find veterans who may be in need a roof but don’t have the funds or resources, and that’s where we’re going to come in,” Junior said. “We’re not just a roofing company; we want to give back to the community every chance we get.”
In March, Southern Roofing and Renovations (SR&R), which is veteran owned and operated, joined the Gary Sinise Foundation in handing over the keys of a new smart home to Sgt. Christopher Kurtz. In 2010, Kurtz was on patrol with the 101st Airborne Division in Afghanistan when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device.
“It’s a bit overwhelming sometimes when you think about how much went into (building the house), how many people put their hands on it, and it’s very humbling,” Kurtz said at the home opening celebration.
Now, through their Roof Deployment Project, SR&R is partnering with local nonprofit agencies to identify other veterans and active-duty military families that need help.
SR&R, based in Clarksville, has been expanding its reach from Middle Tennessee to cities across the Southeast, putting up roofs in cities such as Little Rock, Arkansas; Orlando, Florida; and Louisville, Kentucky.
So far, they’ve completed three roof donations for veterans in other cities, with a fourth one about to launch in Jackson, Tennessee.
Junior has big plans for the Roof Deployment Project, and he has a goal of doing four projects a year in Clarksville.
Longer term, he wants to see it grow to include other nonprofits and construction companies.
“We want to build a village around our veteran community and end with multiple organizations teaming up and helping out our veterans.”
For more about SR&R, located at 601 Kraft St., Suite 104, visit their website, call 931-264-4803 or email clarksville@southernrnr.com.