It’s another cover-up - this year, times two.
Josh Bickle, owner of Integrity Roofing, put out his annual call for nominations for a deserving individual who cannot afford to have a new roof installed.
Bickle went over the applications with Salmon Arm Rona contract sales manager Joel de Boer, who is back on-board for the third year in a row, supplying the roofing felts and shingles.
“We took the stories, did all the quotes and we picked two that we thought were deserving, and then we went to Rona,” Bickle said, noting the decision was made last Thursday and Debbie Payne will have a new roof installed sometime in May.
Bickle was moved by a letter received from Debra Tremblay, who described Payne’s extensive volunteer service to the community, despite being disabled.
“I first met Debbie when she volunteered at the Shuswap Association for Community Living where I worked at the time,” wrote Tremblay, noting that, since that time, Payne has volunteered for the food bank, SPCA, thrift store and others. “Debbie is on permanent disability which does not allow for any extras. This has never stopped her from giving of herself whenever asked.”
Offering to put on a fundraiser at her own home to help defray costs, Tremblay also noted Payne’s volunteer work with her church and the “countless animals” she has fostered over time.
“Even though Debbie is not physically able to do a lot, she has taught me about tolerance, acceptance and giving the best gift, which is from the heart,” wrote Tremblay, adding that a new roof would be a blessing to Payne.
Down the road in the Salmon Arm industrial park, the SPCA shelter now has a water-tight roof.
“The shelter was totally different and something we could handle,” said Bickle of the recent repairs. “My wife is a big animal lover.”