© 2024 WFSU Public Media
WFSU News · Tallahassee · Panama City · Thomasville
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Tallahassee veteran receives brand new roof as part of a national project

Owen’s Corning manufacturing company partnered with Tadlock Roofing to jump start the construction of a brand-new roof for local Navy vet Josh Kish.
Adrian Andrews
/
WFSU
Owen’s Corning manufacturing company partnered with Tadlock Roofing to jump start the construction of a brand-new roof for local Navy vet Josh Kish.

U.S. Navy vet Josh Kish has lived in his Wellswood-Suburban Hills home for nearly a decade. He says rainwater slowly seeps inside—so much that it’s almost unsafe.

“We were struggling for years--me and my family, saving up trying to get this roof," said Kish. "We’ve had leaks everywhere. It’s all about the children, trying to keep them safe."

Like most things in the state, the cost for roofing material has shot up during the inflation. Because of this, Kish turned to Owens Corning’s Roof Deployment Project for help with the $12,500 bill and to Tallahassee’s Tadlock Roofing to carry out the replacement. Thomas Catalano is the company’s local branch manager. He says they received the call just in time.

"Unfortunately the roof was already leaking so it was already showing signs of system failure," said Catalano. "We have another hurricane like we did with Michael or any other hurricanes that have hit the panhandle; and the roof would have very likely failed, and it would have been a catastrophic loss.”

The company expects the new system to be complete by Tuesday. They’re installing 130mph wind resistant shielding to better withstand any future storms. Something Kish says his family is grateful to now have.

“Serving in the military you know; you always want to fight for everything. I appreciate what they have given us and support for veterans and it just means so much to us," said Kish.

Adrian Andrews is a multimedia journalist with WFSU Public Media. He is a Gadsden County native and a first-generation college graduate from Florida A&M University. Adrian is also a military veteran, ending his career as a Florida Army National Guard Non-Comissioned Officer.

Adrian has experience in print writing, digital content creation, documentary, and film production. He has spent the last four years on the staff of several award-winning publications such as The Famuan, Gadsden County News Corp, and Cumulus Media before joining the WFSU news team.