When Cory and Melissa Valentini got their roofing business ramped up for the summer season, they wanted to take their success and turn it into success for the whole community.
The owner/operators of Up Right Roofing, the Valentinis knew it had been a tough year for so many, including local organizations who rely on donations.
“We wanted to do something, in an ongoing fashion, to help the many people that were still struggling in our community,” they said. “We committed to donate $300 from every job we completed in the 2020 roofing season. We expected to complete 30 roofing projects and we are very happy to have completed 34 roofing projects allowing us to donate a total of $10,200.”
The donation of $10,200 was split between SIRCH Community Services, YWCA Peterborough Haliburton and Point in Time Centre for Children and Youth, each receiving $3,400.
The organizations were delighted upon hearing they would be the recipients of such a generous local initiative.
“Point in Time was thrilled to learn of the generous proposal of making significant donations to SIRCH, YWCA and Point in Time,” said Point in Time executive director Marg Cox. “During the pandemic we are seeing increased needs – economic hardship, increased stress on families, and worry. All have resulted in a myriad of timely and responsive supports from food security, clothing, transportation, and a broad range of supports to support mental health and wellness. This has allowed us to augment our government funding with more flexible funding to fund some of these activities, which are not fully funded or considered government allowable expenses.”
SIRCH executive director Gena Robertson shared similar sentiments about receiving such a generous donation.
“We were honoured to be chosen as one of the donees by Up Right Roofing, and extend that gratitude to everyone who chose them to do their roof. It’s such a great idea to build a donation into your revenue model,” said Robertson.
SIRCH plans to use the donation towards the healthy free meals that are distributed throughout the community. The meals, said Robertson, help with food security and reducing social isolation.
YWCA Peterborough Haliburton was also ecstatic, saying the corporate donation could not have come at a better time for the organization. Women’s organizations around the world have reported that they have seen their needs as much as triple during the pandemic, according to the YWCA.
“For women trapped in abusive situations, the COVID-19 crisis has dramatically increased their risk of harm, and even death,” wrote Ria Nicholson, YWCA’s major gift officer. “Recent trends in the county, with more cottagers opting to stay in the area, have resulted in an increase in calls to our Haliburton County services for information, support, and safety planning. We expect this to continue as the reports of abuse are more serious and complex given the heightened stressors brought on by the pandemic.”
The YWCA plans to use the funds to “meet the growing need for safety, resources and support for women and their children escaping violence, specifically in Haliburton County.”
The Valentinis chose organizations that help vulnerable individuals and those at higher risk, knowing that the pandemic has made it more challenging for those already facing difficult situations.
Up Right Roofing started its business in Haliburton in May 2019 and serves the county and surrounding areas with a full-service approach.
“We are happy to be a contributing part of the business community and deepen our roots in this community with our locally owned and operated roofing business,” said the Valentinis.
This donation is just another example of the overwhelming generosity and kindness this community has shown, echoed all three organizations.
“Up Right Roofing is a prime example of reaching out to support others,” said Marg Cox. “We have had donations of wild meat, offers of people willing to volunteer, organizations working more closely than ever together to help respond to community needs, staff digging deeper than ever to flex their hours around client needs, making sure there is no stone unturned if at all possible in helping people.”
Submitted by SIRCH Community Services
