Wichita, Kansas, recently celebrated a housing win as Rhoden Roofing installed its 30th donated roof through the GAF Community Contractor Program. Rhoden Roofing's efforts are a powerful example of how partnering to leverage resources can change lives for the better—right in your own backyard.
Building More Than Roofs: The GAF Community Contractor Program in Action
Roofers go above and beyond every day. That passion to protect is a cornerstone of the profession, and it's the driving force behind the GAF Community Contractor Program. As a vital part of GAF Community Matters, the program enables contractors—many of whom already help their neighbors—to streamline and maximize their efforts.
"It's really simple," shares Kelly Benoit, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility & Community Engagement at GAF. "Contractors donate or discount their labor to a nonprofit roofing project, and GAF will support with a material donation."
At the heart of it, Kelly says, "We support our contractors who are supporting the community."
Contractors certified by GAF* like Rhoden Roofing can work with nonprofits in their area, like the Habitat for Humanity program, which provides safe and affordable housing projects. Working with Habitat through the GAF Community Contractor Program can streamline efforts for roofers who want to support their community but don't have a recipient lined up, because Habitat is already doing the work of identifying families in need and coordinating the larger construction project logistics.
This model leverages the skills and local presence of contractors with GAF-backed resources. And, as more roofing talent gets involved—donating their time and expertise—community resilience grows everywhere across the country.
Rhoden Roofing and GAF: Together for Wichita
In Wichita, John Rhoden of Rhoden Roofing welcomed GAF President and CEO John Barkhouse, who came to help celebrate the exciting occasion.
"Thanks to John [Rhoden] and his team, more than 30 local roofs have been done through Habitat for Humanity," shared John Barkhouse. "We're deeply proud of the work they've done and continue to do as our partners."
John Rhoden's roofing company donated its first roof to a deserving family for Christmas of 2008. Over the years, Rhoden Roofing grew, becoming a GAF Master Elite® Contractor in 2018, and with that growth came increased support of the community and partnership with GAF. Their nominations are now submitted with details on how potential recipients serve their community, and final selection is made with a scholarship grant.
Leveraging GAF resources has allowed Rhoden Roofing's impact to grow exponentially. In 2021, for example, Habitat for Humanity Wichita hoped to achieve a goal of installing 20 roofs within the year. John Rhoden couldn't tackle that task alone, but by tapping into the network of contractors certified by GAF* , he helped Habitat find the additional talent needed to reach that 20-roof target—and it was a success. That's the power of teamwork.
It's not only homeowners who are rewarded. The contractors are also rewarded with both internal satisfaction and community regard. As Kelly explains, "The contractors are able to demonstrate their investment in the community, support the people around them in a meaningful way, and take joy in being a truly philanthropic company."
A Shared Mission
The partnership between GAF and Rhoden Roofing is a match made in heaven.
"For Rhoden Roofing, our mission matches so well with GAF because it's not just about putting on a roof, it's about helping those in need," says John Rhoden.
"Rhoden Roofing is an exceptional example of the contractor partnership in action," shares Kelly. "Over the past five years, they've installed 30 roofs through this program. That's 30 families changed, and 30 futures protected."
The impact of this work is profound. A secure roof provides families with a safe place to build their lives.
Kelly elaborates on this overlooked reality: "Often, we underestimate the value roofs provide families, homeowners, and individuals to thrive. Having a sound roof over your head enables you to focus on the things that matter."
For John Rhoden, the program allows his team to use their professional expertise for a higher purpose, reaching more people than they could alone. "With the partnership through GAF, we're able to take the awesome shingles that GAF manufactures, we're able to use our unique ability of installing those shingles, and we can help more people that way—by forming a partnership together," he says.
Building Communities Together
This spirit of building and supporting communities is woven into the fabric of the corporate identity at GAF.
"At GAF, we believe our work goes beyond our manufacturing plants or a jobsite," says Kelly. "Every roof we make—and every one of our contractors' installations—protects more than a structure. It protects a family. A future. And it's an investment. We don't just serve the communities where we operate; we belong to them."
This approach is demonstrated in the remarkable scale of the GAF Community Contractor Program's impact. To date, GAF has supported more than 900 contractors who've provided roof donations, repairs, and rehabilitations for more than 4,200 roofs across the United States.
"With the GAF Community Contractor Program, contractors like Rhoden Roofing, who are invested in helping uplift the communities where they work while growing their business, help homeowners and families who need it most to thrive," says Kelly.
The success of the program is also a source of pride for contractors like John Rhoden, who see it as a continuation of GAF's long-term investment in his local community. "We're fortunate to be a part of this program with GAF, because they've been supporting the community here for a long time," he says.
GAF's community commitment continues to grow with the company's expansion into Newton, Kansas, where a new manufacturing facility will produce Timberline HDZ® shingles starting in 2027, creating jobs and supporting contractors and distributors alike with greater capacity.
Invest in Your Community
If you're inspired, jumping into action is simple.
"We already see contractors giving their time, supporting different organizations, and supporting homeowners in need," Kelly says. "If you're already doing this, you should leverage what GAF has to help support you and your support for others."
If you're new to community giving, Kelly emphasizes the ease of beginning the GAF Community Contractor Program. "This process is really easy—it's not as intimidating as it sounds. It's a great way to demonstrate the values of your business and that you care about the places where you live and work."
In addition to partnering with your local Habitat for Humanity affiliate, you can simply partner with a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of your choice to provide a roof repair, rehab, or replacement using GAF-donated shingles for the project.
The call to action is clear from the very top of the organization. "Our community programs really speak to who we are, and it goes way beyond the business of building and making shingles. It's about the relationships, the trust, and the foundation of building good communities," shares John Barkhouse.
"The GAF Community Contractor Program offers a unique opportunity for GAF-certified contractors to leverage their time and talent to make a positive difference—right in their own neighborhoods," Kelly summarizes.
Grab your open invitation to invest in your community—one roof at a time. Learn how to get involved by visiting the GAF Community Contractor website or find out more about Rhoden Roofing's commitment to quality and customer service at rhodenroofing.com.
*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program and offering GAF enhanced warranties, which require the use of a minimum amount of GAF products. Your dealings with a Contractor, and any services they provide to you, are subject to the Contractor Terms of Use. Visit www.gaf.com/gaf-contractor-terms-of-use for details.
