Focus

The first National Roofing Week, held July 6-12, was a great success. The events during the week coincided with NRCA's Midyear Meetings, which brought more than 200 NRCA leaders and guests to Chicago.

The week began with a congressional recognition sponsored by Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.). Then, NRCA members Bennett & Brosseau Roofing Inc., Romeoville, Ill.; Nations Roof LLC, Rolling Meadows, Ill.; Ridgeworth Roofing Co. Inc., Frankfort, Ill.; and Waukegan Roofing Co. Inc., Waukegan, Ill., supplied labor to repair the leaking roof system on the LYDIA Home Association's building, an organization dedicated to helping troubled children and their families with a variety of services, including housing. Karnak Corp., Clark, N.J., donated the roofing materials. NRCA Midyear Meetings participants also participated in a fundraising event for LYDIA Home Association, raising $3,750.

In addition, NRCA held an art contest for children. Children whose relatives are employed by NRCA member companies were asked to depict why roofs are important. Voting was open to the public on NRCA's website, and more than 1,700 votes were cast. The winners were Alexandra Buckner, daughter of Lori Buckner, accounting manager for King of Texas Roofing Co. LP, Grand Prairie; Marena Malone, daughter of Rica Malone, corporate customer service representative at CentiMark Corp., Canonsburg, Pa.; and Emma Paredes, daughter of Ben Paredes, business development associate with Tecta America Southeast LLC, Sanford, Fla. Winners received certificates of achievement and $100 gift cards to the retail outlets of their choice.

One goal of National Roofing Week was to raise the awareness of professional roofing contractors. To that end, NRCA also launched www.everybodyneedsaroof.com to help consumers understand the importance of hiring professional contractors, provide basic information about roof systems and offer advice to consumers facing roof system repairs following a natural disaster.

The industry celebrated the week in other ways, as well. For example, about 50 CentiMark offices participated in a food drive for needy families; GAF celebrated the week on Twitter; and CNA Insurance Cos., Chicago, donated $5,000 to Rebuilding Together's Metro Chicago chapter.

With the momentum established from this year's National Roofing Week, NRCA is committed to ensuring National Roofing Week is even bigger next year, July 5-11, 2015.

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA's associate executive director of communications and production.