Post 336 in Wisconsin fulfilled its fundraising efforts for a new roof thanks to the significant donation from local and veteran-owned company First American Roofing & Siding.
Since January, the Struck-Klandrud American Legion Post 336 in Onalaska, Wis., has been fundraising to help cover the cost of a new roof. Their fundraising efforts ended June 27 thanks to a surprise donation.
During Post 336’s community celebration event for America’s 250th birthday, Commander Paul Roraff Sr. was called to the front of the room where First American Roofing & Siding staff presented him with a $53,000 check to cover the remainder of the balance. Watch the donation video here.
“When I saw the amount I kind of stepped away. I looked away because I was floored, I was breathless,” Roraff said. “It brought me to tears. I was choked up. I didn't know what to say. I'd never seen anything like that before. It was such an amazing and powerful moment to see something of that nature, and to see an organization support veterans in that manner was a powerful statement.”
“It was pretty emotional,” said Dallas Werner, owner and president of First American Roofing & Siding, a local and veteran-owned company, who presented the check.
“When we learned that the Legion needed a new roof, we knew we wanted to help. Not because it’s a roofing project, but because it’s an investment in veterans in this community for decades,” added Werner, a Wisconsin National Guard veteran and member of Post 336. “For us, we've been very blessed in this community by our customers, and it's our way of being able to give back to our community that has taken such good care of us for over 21 years in business.”
As Werner began planning the surprise, he reached out to other companies that were assisting with materials, including GAF and ABC Supply Co., to support the donation as well. First American Roofing offers veterans $250 off their roof and GAF shingles matches that with another $250 off. To expand upon that offer, GAF offered to cover the shingles that the post chose, which were high quality.
“We’re just blessed to be able to do something like this and grateful that we have an organization like the Legion to be able to give back to,” said Werner, who also held a 20-year reunion on June 27 with those he served with in Iraq in 2005-2006. He also deployed in 2009-2010. Post 336 “is a place where veterans can find people who understand them, reintegrate and have a place to come to and be around likeminded individuals. They really fill such a need.”
Proceeds from Post 336’s 250th celebration were originally slated to help fund the roof. After the significant donation from First American Roofing & Siding, those proceeds will benefit the post programs and community efforts.
“Now that they made it possible to where once this is all wrapped up, said and done, we can get back to our business and our mission of supporting the community and those in need,” Roraff said, adding that the donation signifies how important Post 336 is to the community of Onalaska.
“I think it sends a very strong message that our post is beneficial to this area. The people believe in what we do and believe in our mission and how we serve the community, not just our veterans but the community, the youth programs, everything that we do means a great deal to them.”
- Community