Delmarva's Neediest Roof Contest

To vote for a finalist, use your mobile phone to send a text message with the instructions below. You will receive a one-time confirmation response. See an example.

My friend of over 30 years who is now 74 years old is in desperate need of many home repairs, the roof being #1. All of the boots have deteriorated and are leaking through to the interior of the house. This woman, (Darlene) is probably one of the strongest and kind hearted people I have ever met. When Darlene was around 35, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma where she underwent vigorous rounds of chemotherapy to rid the disease to extend her life but virtually destroying her heart as a trade off. Shortly after, as almost predicted, she developed Leukemia and with even more chemotherapy she once again managed to survive, and for now, is in remission. As a result of these terrible diseases, to this day, has to wear a Heart Defibrillator in the event of sudden cardiac arrest. In addition to all of these life threatening occurrences she lost the eldest of two children, a son Donald, of 35 years to Melanoma Cancer. Lefty, as he was called, departed with a wife and two infant children for which Darlene is reminded of every October 11th.

My daughter is in need of a roof because she served her country in the United States Air Force and is a disabled from her active duty job. She is a living mother to her only son who at 5 months old was diagnosed with brain cancer and now she is fighting cancer herself. She has a leak on top of the garage and has moss all over her roof which is wearing down her shingles. She cannot afford to purchase a new roof because she doesn’t work and depends on her income from being disabled from the military. Jennifer always puts others first and is always helping other veterans in need. She has a kind heart, free spirited, and a positive role model even when she had a child going through chemotherapy at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now my child and grandson (who is stable) are fighting cancer together. Please please make an amazing warrior get a new roof!

Tracey is the homeowner. She is single and has no children. Due to several years of battling health issues, Tracey has been out of work. She is on a very fixed income and has applied twice for disability and been denied. She has reached out to local businesses and independent workers for help with her roof repairs but she just cannot afford it on her income. Her roof issues have led to bubbling and peeling ceiling paint. When her health allows she gets on a ladder, peels away at the paint with the hopes of at least being able to disguise the damage for the time being. I know there are others in need and she may be one of many but I’m confident that her roof is going to continue to lead to more damage making her home unsafe to live in. If you would help her I know she would be eternally grateful.