Adopt A Roof initiative shelters 8 families, more to benefit
Not the roofs that were replaced under the Adopt a Roof programme.
By Esther Durand, BVI News Staff
Eight Tortola families who were unable to replace their hurricane-destroyed roofs can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Local vulnerable families such as single-parent households, struggling families, the elderly were gifted with brand new roofs under the Adopt A Roof (AAR) initiative.
The AAR is a non-profit organisation which aims to replace roofs in the territory through donors and volunteers.
Manager and Chef at Brandywine Restaurant, Regis Bourdon established the group last year following the two category-five hurricanes.
Bourdon, who is the AAR’s president, told BVI News the initiative specifically begun after the destruction of his East End-based restaurant.
He said with a stocked freezer of food, he decided to prepare meals for children in that community.
That programme ran from September to February and a total of 14,000 meals were distributed free of cost.
Bourdon said, during that period, he was touched by the glaring signs of families living without roofs, sufficient money, or insurance.
“One day we ended up crossing paths with this lady. She was at home and she had no roof and no other place to stay. She was an elderly woman and sleeping between two chairs on a door. And it just broke my heart and I said this cannot be. That could be my mom or my grandmother … I was upset.”
Bourdon then decided to engage his friends for roofing materials and manpower.
He, along with a team of volunteers was able to assist the lady in question, along with several others.
AAR’s current position
The non-profit organisation has installed eight roofs and two more are currently under construction.
Bourdon said with the help of the public, they are seeking to assist more persons who are still roofless almost a year after the catastrophic weather events of 2017.
The charitable organisation now has $180,000 and are assessing four roofs which cost on average $40,000, each.
Bourdon said the AAR continues to work hand in hand with government agencies such as Department for Disaster Management to identify vulnerable people with the greatest need.
Persons can donate through several avenues. These include Adopt A Roof’s local Facebook page, through their Scotiabank account, or via the websites: www.adoptaroofbvi.com, www.OneLoveBVI.com, and www.sailorsforhope.com.
The AAR yesterday hosted an awareness evening for donors, partners, and supporters to celebrate their achievement. The event was held at the Brandywine restaurant in Road Town.
Regis Bourdon
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The brother and his team must be commented for their effort to help our community.
This is a very good article. Mr. Boourdon, keep up the good job and the Almighty God will continue to bless you and your group for the heart felt gesture to each family with the provision of roof.
Where are the locals? I thought expats were evil especially the white ones? These are the people we are scared of inviting to our shores to invest? We have no shame. Thanks AAR for your efforts, you will be blessed.
No shame is right. With a healthy dose of hate and entitlement.
????, Bravo, Bravo
Thanks to you and your team Mr.Regis Bourdon.
May God continue to bless you and your family for your good deeds. You have a good heart. Thank you for giving to the needy
This is humbling, and truly an example to us all.
Can you help some on the other islands as well. Please please and thank you.
The same time it took you to read & comment you should have been volunteering your services like the others
This is truly awesome Sir. You are wonderful! This is what I expected our own local folks to do, but Irma showed their true colors. I’m glad, more than ever now, that I use to support your business (the food was banging too; my family and I love the lobster, steak and pizza). If I return home, I will surely be proud to purchase food from your establishment (it’s a win win situation). Thank you for looking out for our community! May God continue to bless you and your family.