By Keith Gushard
GUYS MILLS — Frend Bonecutter says the new roof on his home through the Under God/Under Roof project truly is a blessing.
“I can’t thank them enough for helping me out,” said Bonecutter, 32, a self-employed mechanic who was injured back in February.
The roof on the Guys Mills home he shares with his fiancée and five children was leaking, but he was unable to get a loan for repairs because of his injury.
Though back to work now, Bonecutter was sidelined for six months this year and couldn’t qualify for a loan because he had no income.
Under God/Under Roof, a new volunteer effort of churches and religious organizations to provide roof repairs and new roofs for area residents who cannot otherwise pay to have the work done, stepped up to do the work this weekend.
A dozen volunteers, members of Lyona Bible Church and United Evangelical Free Church, both of Guys Mills, worked Friday and Saturday to install a new roof on the Bonecutter home.
“We wanted to do something local,” said Jeff Geyer, a member of Lyona Bible Church who worked on the two-day project. “We contacted him (Bonecutter). This was our first opportunity to do a roof.”
The two churches supplied about $1,500 worth of roofing materials and then donated their labor to install it, Geyer said.
Bonecutter estimates it would have cost him about $5,000 to have it done.
“This is just wonderful,” Bonecutter said Saturday afternoon.
Under God/Under Roof was developed as an extension of Make A Difference Day, the area’s annual day of community service.
However, it’s work isn’t done yet for this year, said Dave Roncolato, Make A Difference Day co-organizer and Allegheny College’s director of community service.
“We are happy with the progress so far, but we’re not finished yet,” said Dave Roncolato. “Our goal was 10, and eight roofs are up; just two to go. But the needs are still critical. We need people to step up to finish the last two.”
Keith Gushard can be reached at 724-6370 or by e-mail at kgushard@meadvilletribune.com.
