The Impact Project and First Choice Roofers and Renovation partner to aid family
Last week, the Impact Project, a non-profit organization, partnered with the woman owned business First Choice Roofers and Renovation. The business donated all of the labor and shingles to roof the home of Ray and Sherry Butts located at 145 Marvin Road in Smithville Flats. (Photo by Kelli Miller)
SMITHVILLE — The Impact Project, based in Greene, is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving Chenango County and other surrounding areas by providing assistance for home renovations, financing and construction.
Last week, the Impact Project partnered with a woman owned business, First Choice Roofers and Renovation. The business donated all of the labor and shingles to roof the home of Ray and Sherry Butts in Smithville Flats.
“Today we're here because of Mayra Luna and her organization because they helped make this happen. She brought her crew and helped get material for pennies on a dollar,” Impact Project Executive Director James Willard III said.
He added, “This roof is the second part of the three part project. The first project was to replace the water tank, redo plumbing, and tear out some damaged flooring. A master plumber came in and it took about six hours. Phase two is the roof and the third part is the handicap ramp.”
“We recently got the permit for the handicap ramp through Chenango County Code Enforcement and in the next few weeks, we’ll be back to work on that,”said Willard.
Retired homeowners Ray and Sherry Butts heard about the Impact Project through a neighbor who lives down the road and had work done to their home. They were in desperate need of a hot water tank, a new roof and a safe handicap ramp. They reached out to Chenango County Area on Aging and received help filling in the application.
Ray said, “We had a brand new water tank and back up tank put in. We have more water pressure than we've ever had and now we're getting a new roof.”
“I appreciate all of this; what these people are doing for us,” said Ray. “I want to give them some extra funds when I can because I know they are doing all of this and it's all donations and because they've been so good to us.”
“This is a miracle,” said Sherry. “I recently fell and when the paramedics came to take me to the hospital, it was difficult for them to transport me because the handicap ramp is sideways and in poor condition. So, I think that will be fixed next.”
First Choice Roofers and Renovation owner Luna said, “I started my business in 2021 – I have four kids and my husband is disabled, so I had to do something.”
She was working on a construction site and people kept saying she could do this, own her own business and work for herself. She grew up with construction; her dad was a foreman and she learned everything from him. She thought about it and was ready to take the plunge. She left her job and began her company.
“I immediately joined a lot of women's support groups that are some way involved in the roofing industry. One was National Women in Roofing.,” said Luna. “The next step was to become certified in New York state for minority and women owned businesses.”
She said she began giving estimates to homeowners and some took a chance with her and some didn't.
The trust began to grow and Binghamton teachers and firemen hired me and left reviews on my website that created more calls and business.
She said she has worked in Ithaca for INHS, and Cortland for Toma Development, utilizing grant money to replace windows, decks and siding and has worked in Binghamton and Tioga.
She said she uses drones to see the roof and then incorporates music with the short video so the homeowner can see full coverage and they really love that. She said her last roof job was 5400 square with many angles and they ripped up the shingles in one day.
“It's dangerous, but my crew knows what they're doing,” said Luna.
Luna said she became certified in March and can now do sub-contract work and said she has become popular being a woman owned business. She said she has a crew of 12 people and next year, will need to add additional people.
Originally from Texas, she found her way across the states to New York and said she has received so much help and work from the community; she felt it necessary to give back.
Willard explained this is the 188th project since the organizations inception and their 27th project of the year. He said they're smashing their record; the prior record was 20 in a year and that in the next two weeks they'll probably blow past 30 projects.
He said “This is an extraordinary year for our organization. It started out slow, when people were not applying but the proverbial dam has broken and people realize we can offer help and they're applying and we want them to.”
The Impact Project has two primary target populations: families at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines- who can qualify for no-cost repairs and updates. Also families in Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, (A.L.I.C.E.), who reside in Chenango County- can qualify for a loan program through Sidney Federal Credit Union with terms up to $15,000 and a .5 percent interest rate.
For additional information or to apply for home repair, go to website: theimpactprojectgreene.org.
Last week, the Impact Project partnered with a woman owned business, First Choice Roofers and Renovation. The business donated all of the labor and shingles to roof the home of Ray and Sherry Butts in Smithville Flats.
“Today we're here because of Mayra Luna and her organization because they helped make this happen. She brought her crew and helped get material for pennies on a dollar,” Impact Project Executive Director James Willard III said.
He added, “This roof is the second part of the three part project. The first project was to replace the water tank, redo plumbing, and tear out some damaged flooring. A master plumber came in and it took about six hours. Phase two is the roof and the third part is the handicap ramp.”
“We recently got the permit for the handicap ramp through Chenango County Code Enforcement and in the next few weeks, we’ll be back to work on that,”said Willard.
Retired homeowners Ray and Sherry Butts heard about the Impact Project through a neighbor who lives down the road and had work done to their home. They were in desperate need of a hot water tank, a new roof and a safe handicap ramp. They reached out to Chenango County Area on Aging and received help filling in the application.
Ray said, “We had a brand new water tank and back up tank put in. We have more water pressure than we've ever had and now we're getting a new roof.”
“I appreciate all of this; what these people are doing for us,” said Ray. “I want to give them some extra funds when I can because I know they are doing all of this and it's all donations and because they've been so good to us.”
“This is a miracle,” said Sherry. “I recently fell and when the paramedics came to take me to the hospital, it was difficult for them to transport me because the handicap ramp is sideways and in poor condition. So, I think that will be fixed next.”
First Choice Roofers and Renovation owner Luna said, “I started my business in 2021 – I have four kids and my husband is disabled, so I had to do something.”
She was working on a construction site and people kept saying she could do this, own her own business and work for herself. She grew up with construction; her dad was a foreman and she learned everything from him. She thought about it and was ready to take the plunge. She left her job and began her company.
“I immediately joined a lot of women's support groups that are some way involved in the roofing industry. One was National Women in Roofing.,” said Luna. “The next step was to become certified in New York state for minority and women owned businesses.”
She said she began giving estimates to homeowners and some took a chance with her and some didn't.
The trust began to grow and Binghamton teachers and firemen hired me and left reviews on my website that created more calls and business.
She said she has worked in Ithaca for INHS, and Cortland for Toma Development, utilizing grant money to replace windows, decks and siding and has worked in Binghamton and Tioga.
She said she uses drones to see the roof and then incorporates music with the short video so the homeowner can see full coverage and they really love that. She said her last roof job was 5400 square with many angles and they ripped up the shingles in one day.
“It's dangerous, but my crew knows what they're doing,” said Luna.
Luna said she became certified in March and can now do sub-contract work and said she has become popular being a woman owned business. She said she has a crew of 12 people and next year, will need to add additional people.
Originally from Texas, she found her way across the states to New York and said she has received so much help and work from the community; she felt it necessary to give back.
Willard explained this is the 188th project since the organizations inception and their 27th project of the year. He said they're smashing their record; the prior record was 20 in a year and that in the next two weeks they'll probably blow past 30 projects.
He said “This is an extraordinary year for our organization. It started out slow, when people were not applying but the proverbial dam has broken and people realize we can offer help and they're applying and we want them to.”
The Impact Project has two primary target populations: families at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines- who can qualify for no-cost repairs and updates. Also families in Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, (A.L.I.C.E.), who reside in Chenango County- can qualify for a loan program through Sidney Federal Credit Union with terms up to $15,000 and a .5 percent interest rate.
For additional information or to apply for home repair, go to website: theimpactprojectgreene.org.
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