Knights don’t always ride up on white horses; sometimes, they show up with nail guns and shingles and put a new roof on the house.
That’s what Pat Mashiana of North Stafford experienced last week when her damaged and leaky roof was replaced by the faith-based 516 Project. The Christian construction ministry partnered with local construction companies and builders to provide new roofs — at no charge — for nine people with dire housing needs in the Fredericksburg area.
A crew from Fletcher Home puts a new roof on a house in North Stafford. The work is part of a drive sponsored by the nonprofit 516 Project.
Mashiana, or “Miss Pat” as the work crews called her, was in tears as she talked about the kindness she’d been shown.
“They’re really caring people who will come to your rescue basically,” she said. “It’s a wonderful organization that they have and they’re so helpful and so polite, and I appreciate all of them.”
James Roberson, ministry founder and president, organized what he called a “roofing revival” for October. The ministry received grants from the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association’s foundation, 100 bundles of shingles from the manufacturer GAF and crews of workers to put down new plywood and flashing, water shields and shingles, usually in the same day.
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Brian Elliott with Fletcher Home and Ryan Elliott of the 516 Project discuss the work that’s been doing on a roof in North Stafford. The two are not related.
Fletcher Home, which provided the crew for Miss Pat’s house, works with the ministry throughout the year, and is one of four businesses helping in October. Others are Ray Siding, Kevin’s Roofing and Pierpoint Construction.
Matt Fletcher, owner of Fletcher Home in North Stafford, said “it’s great for company culture” to be part of efforts in which employees can serve others in the same community where they work and live.
“I’m a Christian and the Bible tells us, to whom much is given, much is required,” Fletcher said.
The 516 Project helps about 180 families a year in the region with various projects, from lawn work and bathroom renovation to wheelchair ramps and other types of handicap access, said Ryan Elliott, project manager. Even as multimillion dollar homes and luxury subdivisions pop up across the area, there “are always people who need help,” he said.
“I think a lot of people feel like they’re stuck or ashamed to reach out because they don’t have the means of making it work so they will try to put a bandage on things and make things last as long as they can,” he said. “They feel like there is no hope for them because a project is too big, too expensive.”
Ryan Elliott, project manager with the 516 Project, watches a roof raising with Maria Moore from the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association and Sydney Burnley with Fletcher Home.
A lot of clients helped by 516 Project are elderly, but also include people who had an accident or illness that suddenly took away their mobility or income. Then, life becomes a series of choices, of which bill to pay and which need to overlook, and needed home repairs tend to take a back seat.
“Things just pile up,” Elliott said.
Roof replacements tend to be the most expensive repairs, Elliott said. He and Brian Elliott (no relation) of Fletcher Home estimated Miss Pat’s new roof, on the one-story, 1,200-square foot ranch home, cost about $9,000.
Maria Moore, executive officer of the Fredericksburg builders group, watched the quick work done by the Fletcher crew and raved about the collaboration Roberson had organized.
“We have over 300 company members, and they all have the biggest hearts to do things for the community,” she said.
But while the association can provide funds, it doesn’t have the people, or expertise, to vet applications from those who need help, Moore said. The 516 Project takes care of that part, and for the roofing project, coordinated the crews and schedules.
The ministry hoped to include building students from Caroline and Spotsylvania counties, but school systems didn’t want their students working off the ground, Roberson said. He’s hoping to launch a program this spring in which a shingle manufacturer presents a program at Caroline High School and the Spotsylvania Career & Technical Center. Students will build mock roofs at ground level.
Being able to use donations from sources such as FABA grants means there’s more money the ministry can use on other projects, Ryan Elliott said.
Those who need help with repairs, or want to donate or volunteer their time, can contact the 516 Project at 540/940-6794 or online at 516project.org. Specific information about the roofing project is available at 516project.org/roofs.
Miss Pat said she never imagined people would come to her home and provide so much help. Earlier this year, a crew from the 516 Project did extensive yard work, and when they cleared debris, noticed the shape of her roof, Ryan Elliott said.
“One lady told me, she said everybody needs help sometimes, and that just touched my heart,” she said.
Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
cdyson@freelancestar.com
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