Roof Giveaway To Family In Need Becomes Holiday Tradition

STERLING, VA — Life is good these days for Steve Gotschi, a decorated Northern Virginia businessman who's the owner and founder of DryHome Roofing & Siding, Inc. He has four kids and the admiration of his community for various philanthropic endeavors.

In the mid-80s, though, life wasn't so good for Gotschi, 51. "I was homeless," he told Patch matter-of-factly. "I lived in my vehicle. It was about six weeks of my life, but it seemed like forever. That was rock bottom, you know?"

That's also one of the primary reasons Gotschi's company does what it does every Christmas season. Namely, for 15 consecutive years, he has provided a free roof to an area charitable organization or an area family badly in need of one.

"A lot of these nonprofits (we've helped), they help out the homeless — or they help out people to prevent them from becoming homeless," he said before adding with a chuckle, "So I've got a soft spot for those guys."

This year's recipient was Barbara Bendele of Stafford, the widow of a disabled Marine captain who died nine years ago. One of her three children, a daughter, died earlier this month following a lengthy illness. One of her sons has autism. She has a hard time making ends meet. The cost to repair a leaky roof that had been in disrepair for years was prohibitive.

But someone brought her plight to Gotschi's attention, writing in part that "neighbors have been helping her with car repairs as she is unable to work full time due to the kids' medical needs. Anything you can do will go a long way."

So Gotschi sent a crew out to Stafford and in less than a day, Bendele had a new roof. He said the cost, had he actually sold her the roof, would have been between $8,500 and $10,000, including labor.

"I mean, bless her heart," Gotschi said softly. "There's always a story behind (the free roof). That's one that really sticks with you."

Among the other recipients of a free roof over the years: Cornerstones, a local nonprofit that works to alleviate homelessness, a social worker described as "a tireless advocate for the homless," a widow, Doorways for Women and Families' Safehouse, a school bus driver, a veteran, Good Shepherd Alliance (another homeless-related nonprofit), Gabriel Homes (a nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities), a community volunteer, an elderly Alexandria man and the Falls Church Cub Scout House.

The Cub Scout deal started it all. It was done to help out the troop Gotschi's son was a member of; his company donated the labor but the Cub Scouts paid for the materials.

"It was such a positive work environment for us, doing that one," Gotschi said. "Not that it was negative before, but it just seemed like something nice to do. So the next year we decided to give an entire roof away for free — materials AND labor."

Unlike similar holiday roof giveaways scattered throughout the country, such as those in Texas and Pennsylvania, Gotschi's philanthropy has become more of a word-of-mouth thing as opposed to a strict application process — although his firm's website does now include an official Free Roof for the Holidays link. Even so, when someone calls suggesting a person or an organization in need, Gotschi listens intently before making a request.

"I'll say, 'Write it down. Tell me exactly why you think your neighbor, friend, parent or whatever deserves it,' '' he said. "We have a review board (at the company), and we kind of all sit down and lobby for which one we like the most."

One of Gotschi's other causes is the annual Loudoun Lyme Run. His wife was diagnosed with Lyme disease some 10 years ago, and he created the fundraising run to raise awareness about the affliction. But the roof giveaway is his baby, one of which he's quite proud.

"Like I said, I know what's it's like to be homeless," he said. "It's such a helpless feeling, you know? Sometimes people just need help. This is our little part of doing that."

Photos courtesy of DryHome Roofing and Siding