The Good Neighbor Project — Meet the Family
Published on Monday March 4, 2019
We’re a family business that’s always been rooted in our community, from the Langdon neighborhood in Washington, D.C. where LONG first got its start to Beltsville, MD.
No matter what neighborhood we’re in, we believe that every homeowner deserves a sturdy roof over their head and the quality service to make sure it stays that way.
As our company grew and we were able to service more neighborhoods, we felt that there were many people who desperately needed new roofs but were turned down because they couldn’t afford to pay for one.
That’s why we started The Good Neighbor Project in the fall of 2017.
We feel a responsibility as a part of the community to be good neighbors and support the people who have built their lives alongside ours. The Good Neighbor Project is our way of serving the families in our community who can’t otherwise afford a necessary roof replacement by stepping in and providing that service free of charge.
We know roof replacements can pull at many people’s budgets, so we’re always on the lookout for those who need a helping hand.
When our product specialists meet customers who need a roof but may not be able to afford one, they are encouraged to submit that customer to our Good Neighbor Project committee for review.
If selected, we return to that customer’s home and share the news that they’re getting their roof for free.
Last year, we were privileged to meet a family that really emulated what it meant to be a good neighbor.
As a veteran and pastor of his local Baptist church, Warren Preston has lived a life of service. His wife, Este Preston, has given her time, joy and cooking to her community right alongside her husband year after year. Committed to being good people and community builders, the Prestons embody everything we believe makes a good neighbor.
The Prestons had lived in their home for the past 18 years when they applied for a new roof with us and their roof showed its age. The Prestons were in need of a full roof replacement, but due to their financial status, they were struggling to figure out how to afford one.
One of our product specialists, Mike Lyons, went out to the Prestons’ home to provide a consultation and after getting to know them and their situation, realized they would be perfect candidates for our Good Neighbor Project.
Mike Lyon and Jeff Caron, our VP of Sales, returned to the Prestons’ home and announced that LONG would be taking care of their roof for them —for free.
“To drive up and see that new roof after looking at that eyesore for years was just a blessing,” Mr. Preston said once the replacement was finished in October of 2017.
When people act like good neighbors, it’s not just the people they help that benefit—we all do. Mike Lyons, the employee who first discovered the Prestons, embraced his role in the Prestons’ new life and benefited in his own way, too.
“This was the single most gratifying experience of my time at LONG,” he explains. “The community has given us so much. We believe it’s our right to give back.”
We build more than roofs — we build communities
At Long, we believe good neighbors go out of their way to help their community and build a better tomorrow. Visit us online to learn more about the charities we’re involved with or contact us about a charity you’d like Long to help sponsor.
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