Free Indeed
By Nick Landry
Our story begins with a simple desire to serve others as we ourselves desire to be served, and to be transparent in every aspect of our business as we work to be excellent in all things. We see every day as an opportunity to minister to our community in whatever ways we can. If we see an opportunity to help others, we strive to be faithful to do so.
When I first met with Bobby and Melissa, there was an immediate connection between the three of us. There was a way about the couple that was sincere and genuinely kindhearted. I was put in touch with them through a mutual friend, and when we met, Brightwater Roofing Co. was the fourth roofer to work with them after the previous three had abandoned their cause.
After inspecting their roof and their home, it was apparent that there was much work to be done — their home was in disrepair and in dire need of rehabilitation. Additionally, the ceiling in their dining room had completely caved in, leaving them exposed to the elements during the coldest months of the year and making a bad situation much worse. I learned that insurance had denied them six times. It was evident that insurance was not being the neighbor they promised to be when the contracts were initially signed 25 years prior.
When we sat down to discuss their options, and what it would cost to repair their roof in addition to all the interior work needed, they explained that they had a 2% deductible and if their insurance would have come through, they wouldn’t have been able to pay their deductible. The total cost of repairs was going to be significantly higher than that, which I knew after surveying their property.
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After visiting with them further and discussing things with my bride, I told them Brightwater Roofing Co. would do their work for free. I’ll never forget Melissa’s response:
“Nick, when you say free, do you mean that you’ll provide labor and we’ll supply and pay for all the materials, or what did you mean by free exactly?”
“Melissa, I meant free, free. As in, when the projects are completed and the work on your home is finished, you owe me zero dollars and zero cents. I mean that we will show up with all the materials needed, assemble the necessary forces to complete the work with excellence, and when it’s all said and done, no money will exchange hands except from me to our team members. We are offering our services free to you and Bobby - we invite you to pay us nothing.”
When we showed up to do the work, and I was able to embrace Bobby and Melissa for the first time since sending the news, it was through wet, watery blue eyes that they looked at me and thanked me for what we were doing for them - many tears of joy were shed all around, and it was good. Truly, truly it was a blessing.
It took a total of four days to complete the work to restore their home, and now, they can eat as a family once more in their dining room without the need to have an umbrella open and a winter coat on. What once brought immediate angst and discomfort is now once again a warm and inviting home.
Of course, to run and sustain a profitable business, we can’t do everyone’s home for free, but when we do encounter people that have a need, we like to think we will rise when our name is called, when the need is presented to us. This time we answered the call, were faithful to obedience, and I pray we remain that way as we endeavor to continue doing to others as we would have done to us.
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