Proud to Be From Pittsburgh

Three local families put their community needs first. What they got was a free roof for their homes.

PLUM, Pa. — A recent contest shined a light on three local families who put their community needs first, and in return for their selfless acts they were given a free roof for their home. A 75-year-old business hosting the contest is making us proud to be from Pittsburgh.

From a business owner giving away free meals during the pandemic, to helping neighbors going through tough times, to a family caring for children with complex medical issues.

“You know many hospital stays, if he gets sick,” said Kristen Woodring of Monroeville. “My husband would have to take off of work, I have to stay at home just to care for him.”

Two of Woodring’s three children were diagnosed at a young age with medical issues that have impacted their finances.

The three families’ stories resonated with local roofing company, Schultheis Brothers. To honor the company’s 75th anniversary, Katie Rullo, the company’s president and third-generation Schultheis, decided to give one free roof away to a deserving family in the community. Over one thousand entries came in and it was up to the public to decide the winner.

“We opened the public voting and the votes kept coming in, and we just kept staring at them, and we just decided there’s no way we could just give one roof away,” said Rullo.

Instead, Rullo decided to give away three roofs. Each roof is valued at more than $10,000. The decision left Woodring speechless: “I can’t put it into words how grateful and thankful I am for what they’re doing and it just says a lot about a company and what kind of people they are to do this for not just one family, but multiple families.”

This comes during a time when small businesses across our area have struggled with the pandemic’s impact, including Rullo’s business.

“Finding nails is like fighting wolverines and furnaces backorder till December 1,” said Rullo. “It’s been incredibly hard. So, we know like what it’s like for people because not only can we not find what we need to get the job done but we can’t imagine being someone who lost their job and not being able to afford things.”

Rullo said the Great Roof Giveaway is just one way she can put good energy back into the community, “Every family winning a free roof had multiple nominations because people have recognized that, they do deserve a new roof, they’ve done a lot to make everyone else’s life easier, so it’s time for us to help them out and make their lives a little better.”

Schultheis Brothers Roofing is making us proud to be from Pittsburgh.