Here are a few recent stories to help remind us of all the good still happening despite all the doom and gloom.

GAF, Team Rubicon Reroof Homes in Georgia

In Valdosta, Ga., more than 20 homes were destroyed by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Thanks to manufacturer GAF and humanitarian group Team Rubicon, those homes can now withstand storms with new FORTIFIED roofs.

A story from Valdosta Today shared that many of the reroofed homes belong to service members and first responders. Additional reroofs are planned through the end of the year and into 2026.

“When disaster strikes, a safe roof is more than just shelter—it’s the comfort of knowing your family is protected. The devastation Hurricane Helene caused in Valdosta reminds us how vital it is to build stronger, more resilient homes,” said Jeff Terry, vice president of CSR and sustainability at GAF.

GAF and Team Rubicon called upon J&J Roofing and Construction to install the FORTIFIED roofs. FORTIFIED is an above-code roofing system developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to better protect homes from severe weather.

GAF allied with IBHS earlier this year, which has resulted in more than 1,000 professionals becoming certified to install FORTIFIED systems.

New York Veteran Receives Free Roof

As part of the Owens Corning Roof Deployment Project, U.S. Navy veteran Mike Sedon received a new roof free of charge.

“I was a United States Navy for years, active two years… And you know, as a result of that, this became available. And it has– it’s been a godsend,” Sedon told ABC-affiliated WILX.

Rebuilding Together Saratoga County connected Sedon and the Roof Deployment Project with Next Generation Roofing, which provided the labor.

“When somebody’s ceiling’s falling down and they’re finances aren’t in order and they’re living on a fixed income, it’s super important that these entities got together to replace this roof before it caused further damage inside his home,” said Chad Gregory, owner and CEO of Next Generation Roofing, Paving and Siding.

Action Roofing Services Donates Roof to Navy SEAL

Action Roofing Services, a member of the Peak Roofing Partners Family of Companies, collaborated with Operation Healing Forces to provide a free roof replacement valued at $20,000 to Richard Loth, a Navy SEAL veteran residing in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Operation Healing Forces is a Tampa-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving the wounded, ill, injured, and fallen U.S. Special Operations Forces community. Loth’s roof suffered damage during last year’s hurricane season, and after learning of his situation, Action Roofing Services stepped up.

"At Action Roofing Services, we believe it's our responsibility to give back to the veterans who have given so much for our country," said Bruce Bessire, chief operating officer at Peak Roofing Partners. "These brave men and women and their families have made incredible sacrifices, and providing a secure roof over their heads is just one small way we can show our appreciation for their service."

Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness

Throughout October, designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, multiple roofing contractors, suppliers and manufacturers helped raise funds and awareness to combat the disease.

S-5! contributed $5,000, along with $8,000 from the Haddock Family Foundation, to support Guest House, which provides affordable lodging for patients undergoing critical treatment at the St. Francis Hospital’s cancer center in Colorado.

Bachman’s Roofing in Pennsylvania donated a new roof to breast cancer survivor Teri Jensen-Sellers. The company also matched donations up to $10,000 for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition.

CertainTeed once again partnered with Susan G. Komen to help raise funds to support the fight against the disease. A portion of CertainTeed Gypsum sales through October, co-branded with pink ribbons, was contributed to the foundation, with a minimum $120,000 donation.

Roofer Helps English Church After Theft

Across the pond, a roofer from Oxfordshire County in Southeast England helped his local church after lead was stolen from the building.

The BBC reports that someone had stripped lead from the porch roof at St. Andrew's Church. Jane Drewe, a warden for the church, posted about the incident on Facebook. A flood of responses poured in, including one from local roofer Michael Harris to fix the damage for free.

"I wanted to do it for free,” Harris told the BBC. “I thought it might have sped things up if it was free, saving the bureaucracy of quotes and to-ing and fro-ing.

"I thought, ‘Make it simple, just go for it, and get it done.’"