Jacksonville families in need get new roofs for free

Two Jacksonville families in need are receiving brand new roofs for free.

Hundreds of people nominated their loved ones and neighbors after Action News Jax's story about Reliant Roofing's Every Shingle Heart Initiative in April.

Pastor Glenn Rodgers had no idea his granddaughter nominated him. “Well, I almost fell out of the chair,” said Rodgers.

Before Reliant Roofing crews got to work, Rodgers’ granddaughter Katrina Jones said the roof had holes in it from Hurricane Matthew damage.

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“The back tree limb came all the way through the house at one point in time,” said Jones.

Jones said her 81-year-old grandfather is now raising two great-grandchildren.

“On Thanksgiving last year, he lost his granddaughter, which is like his daughter because he raised her. And then less than a month after that, he lost his wife,” said Jones.

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“I had to preach my wife’s funeral. That’s the hardest funeral I’ve ever preached. And I was down. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t. But this brought a new inspiration into my heart,” said Rodgers. “I just want to thank them from the bottom of my heart. They made this old man a Christmas.”

Reliant Roofing is also giving a new roof to Robbie and Jennifer Farr.

Jennifer Farr teaches children with developmental disabilities.

In November, the company built a new roof for Samaritan Food Pantry in Macclenny.

Cox Media Group