Nora Springs veteran’s home gets a new roof thanks to a national program, local contractor

NORA SPRINGS — A United States Army veteran who lives in Nora Springs and his family got a new roof on their house on Wednesday thanks to a partnership between a local construction company and a national business.

Ava Shafer of Young Construction says Brandon Schmidt was nominated to receive a new roof as part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project through a partnership with Purple Heart Homes.   “We’ve been partnering with Owens Corning and Purple Heart Homes for a couple of years now, I think this is our second home and just essentially to give back to those veterans and just kind of doing our part to thank them for serving our country.”

Shafer says veterans are nominated to be a part of the program.  “People nominate veterans, and then from there we assess the situation, assess their house, and go from there and decide who we think deserves one after going through and reading the stories.”

Shafer says the Schmidt family was surprised by being chosen for the program.  “I think they were just more shocked in general that they got it, and they were super grateful, but I think just more like speechless, didn’t have too much to say, they were just very grateful. It was fun to see their expression and how they reacted.”

Since the start of the program in 2016, the Owens Corning Foundation has helped support more than 275 military members getting a new roof for their home. 

Photos courtesy of Young Construction