Focus

As the U.S. presidential candidates continue to explain how their parties will improve the country and how, presumably, their rival party will not, it seems impossible the two will ever agree on anything. However, Democrats and Republicans recently defied the odds and agreed to participate in the Craftsman House United project to build a home for a deserving veteran during their respective conventions.

The project was organized by The Craftsman Brand; Rebuilding Together,® NRCA's national charity partner; NextGen Home built by Champion; Heroes at Home; Bank of America; and television personality Ty Pennington. The organizations asked delegates at both conventions to work together to build a home for a veteran.

The first half of the home was built in Tampa, Fla., the site of the Republican National Convention. The home then was transported to Charlotte, N.C., the site of the Democratic National Convention, for completion. The home will be awarded to a veteran in Charlotte this month.

The home is a NextGen version of Champion Home Builders' Rosewarne model. NRCA member DECRA Roofing Systems Inc., Corona, Calif., donated 28 squares of its new DECRA Shingle XD,® an aluminum-zinc alloy-coated steel shingle.

Natalie Tanner, DECRA Roofing Systems' marketing manager, explains the company's involvement: "DECRA Roofing Systems is proud to participate in the House United project. Our company supports our troops and returning service members. Giving back to a family of one deserving service member is important to us."

Ambika Puniani Bailey is editor of Profes­sional Roofing and NRCA's senior director of communications.