Malvern Roofing Company Donates New Roof To Local Veteran

MALVERN, PA — A Malvern-based roofing company recently gave away and installed a roof for a local military veteran.

Rutter Roofing chose Harleysville resident and retired Army sergeant David Gardner as the winner of its Memorial Day Giveaway.

As winner of the veteran-aimed promotion, Gardner got a brand-new roof system courtesy of Rutter Roofing.

located in Malvern, held the giveaway in the weeks leading up to Memorial Day.

Gardner was unknowingly entered into the giveaway by his son, Dave, who saw it posted on the company’s Facebook page.

"I was totally shocked," said Gardner. "When [Rutter Roofing] called and told me I had won a new roof, I actually dropped my phone and broke it. When I picked up my new phone and returned the call, all I could say was, 'You’re kidding?'"

Gardner volunteered for the U.S. Army and served during the Vietnam War, where he rose to the rank of Platoon Sergeant in the Fourth Infantry Division. Due to his good instincts and awareness, Gardner often ‘walked point’ for short and long range reconnaissance missions. He also helped lead teams tasked with eliminating enemy patrols.

After the war, Gardner built a career with the Ellis Coffee Company of Philadelphia, where he was the first employee promoted from the service department to the sales team.

Now, fully retired, Gardner spends most of his free time painting.

Jackie Blinebury, director of business development at Rutter Roofing, said the company created the giveaway as part of their Community/Service/Leadership (C.S.L.) pledge, which focuses on charitable giving efforts each fiscal quarter.

According to Blinebury, Gardner was the perfect candidate to receive a new roof because his current roof is more than two decades old.

"Any donation is always a good thing, but this was perfect because we had just finished discussing repairs to the house that need to be done," said Gardner. “Their representatives presented to us in person at our front door with their smiles. Rutter Roofing has given my wife and I a wonderful gift."