Roofing Company Replaces Cancer Patient’s Roof for Free

By Lauren White, RCS Reporter.

Local company is dedicated to giving back to their community.

“When it rained outside, when it poured down, it poured down inside,” Tina Mitchell of Toledo, Ohio told 24 News.  Just last year her roof began leaking heavily and she started saving to replace it.  A few months later, Tina found a lump and was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.  

In her interview with 24 News, Tina said, “I never thought this would happen to me.  You know you see it happen to everybody else and you’re like ‘Oh I’m so sorry. What can I do?’ or whatever.  But when it happens to you, it is a slap in the face.”

Her failing roof only added to her health problems.  Tina’s sister Betty Greer shared with 24 News, “She’s had a stroke after receiving chemo...She got a major infection.  She’s gotten pneumonia. She’s had some financial difficulties.”  

Betty knew something needed to be done and reached out to a former classmate, Karen Jacobiak, operations manager at Seagate Roofing and Foundation Services.  “We were planning our class reunion together and then obviously things had [come] up about her sister battling her cancer and that she needed a cleaner environment,” Karen told 24 News.  

After Betty and Karen’s conversation, the sisters anticipated receiving a “hefty estimate from Seagate,” they told 24 News.  Instead, they got an even bigger surprise. Karen told Betty, “So what we would like to do instead of repairing it is just tear it all off and give her a brand new roof,” 24 News reported.

“Gives me chills talking about it...Instantaneous.  We wanted to help and that’s what we do for our community,” Karen told 24 News.  Seagate got to work after a few months of planning and crews installed a “brand new, leak proof, mold resistant roof at no cost,” according to 24 News.  

This charitable act demonstrates what it means to give back to their community.  Not only did this local company ease Tina’s financial burdens, but also provided her with a safe, dry, and healthy place to live and heal.  Tina told 24 News, “Maybe there’s one day I could do something for somebody else.”

Do you know of someone in the industry who is ‘doing good deeds’ in their community? Help us catch them at it. Send news and information to info@rooferscoffeeshop.com.

Photo caption :
Tina Mitchell's house in Toledo (Sophia Perricone/WNWO)