“Obviously, their capacity was greater than our money,” Zazo points out. “We went into full beast mode on trying to raise money; as we raised more money, we could do more families’ roofs.”
To differentiate his firm’s charitable work from its for-profit work, Zazo officially established the non-profit Roof Angels in 2013.
In addition, on April 9, Roof Angels will be the beneficiary of funds raised during VINO-Palooza, a traveling wine and music festival hosted by recording artist Ryan Cabrera. Zazo previously participated in VINO-Palooza in Los Angeles with his winery. After speaking to Cabrera and the other two founders of the event, Zazo learned they are Dallas-Fort Worth natives and believed it was important to bring the festival to their hometowns to support charitable work there. Zazo mentioned Roof Angels and Habitat’s A Brush with Kindness, and Cabrera and his partners agreed to support the cause. For tickets to the April 9 Dallas event and to learn more, visit VINO-Palooza.com.
Lastly, 5 percent of Hailstone Vineyards’ wine sales are earmarked for Roof Angels. Currently, Aspenmark Roofing & Solar’s crews are meeting Dallas Habitat for Humanity’s expectations for charitable roofing installs per year through Roof Angels, but Zazo says he couldn’t do it without his partners. “GAF and SRS are fully committed to the cause,” Zazo notes. “They’ve been wonderful partners.”
HELPING PEOPLE
Although the homes chosen by A Brush with Kindness are small, Zazo says they often have a lot of wood damage and four or five layers of shingles on them, so the jobs can be intense. “When we see the conditions of the homes—there’s often mold and possible health issues—it gives you chills because you know you’re really making a difference in these homeowners’ lives,” Zazo says.
For example, Roof Angels recently helped a retired gentleman who had no means for house repairs. When a storm blew through his neighborhood, a huge tree was knocked down and fell onto his bedroom, caving in the roof. “This guy literally just closed his bedroom door and was sleeping in his kitchen,” Zazo recalls. “You would open the bedroom door and there’s no roof; it was crazy!”
Roof Angels reached out to a tree removal service and water remediation company in the Dallas area. Then Aspenmark Roofing & Solar’s crew got to work rebuilding the structure of the roof line and roofing the house. In just a few days, the home had dramatically transformed and, Zazo says, “The homeowner was grateful as hell!”
Not only does working with A Brush with Kindness help homeowners in need, it also helps boost the morale of Aspenmark Roofing & Solar’s employees, who are completely supportive of the program. “Our employees know we’re working toward a common goal; it has really helped with employee camaraderie and morale,” Zazo says. And it’s not just the roofing workers who participate in Roof Angels. A salesperson is assigned to each family and takes stewardship of the process. Zazo is especially grateful to Jamey Mauldin, vice president of sales, who coordinates installs for Roof Angels. “He’s a very vital piece of Roof Angels,” Zazo adds.
Zazo still hopes to make his Roof Angels/A Brush with Kindness partnership one in which other roofing contractors around the country can model. “That is something that is in our forecast, taking this thing to other communities in Texas first,” he says. “We’ll move it on out across the country from there.”
Zazo hopes to one day make his Roof Angels/A Brush with Kindness partnership one that other roofing contractors around the country can use as a model.
Until then, he recommends roofing contractors interested in doing community service in their own areas reach out to local churches and charitable organizations. “There are so many people who need help who don’t qualify for assistance for some reason; there’s a strong need in every community,” he notes.
Zazo admits he didn’t start out as the most philanthropic person, even saying he was the world’s “biggest taker” until he reached his late 30s. “I finally realized that not only am I doing good for my community, but I’m also doing good for my business,” he says. “People want to do business with those who give back.”
SUPPORT ROOF ANGELS
On April 9, Roof Angels will be the beneficiary of funds raised during VINO-Palooza, a traveling wine and music festival hosted by recording artist Ryan Cabrera. The event will take place at Happiest Hour, 2616 Olive St., Dallas, from 1-5 p.m. Complimentary tastings from more than 20 wineries, craft breweries
and local distilleries will be available.Food samples also will be offered. Enjoy unplugged performances by Ryan Cabrera and special guests. For tickets and to learn more, visit VINO-Palooza.com.
Roof Angels hosts its Halos for Homes fundraiser each October. To learn
more about Halos for Homes or to donate directly to Roof Angels, visit the organization’s website, RoofAngels.org.
Be the first to comment on "Dallas Roofing Contractor Partners with Habitat for Humanity to Repair and Replace Roofs for Deserving Homeowners"