By Lindsay Peyton

Guardian Roofing has become a guardian angel for West Seattle resident Carol Williams.

Employees from the company spent the weekend ripping out her old roof, replacing rotten boards and adding new shingles and gutters – all without charging Williams a penny.

She explained that her roof had been falling apart for the past five years. “Black mold was growing in the bathroom,” she said. “There were leaks all over the kitchen, leaks by the fireplace. Every year, it got worse and worse.”

The 76-year old disabled widow has been raising her 16-year-old grandson for the last six years on only her social security and small pension.

A new roof was something she desperately needed -- but was simply not in her budget.

Williams said estimates for a new roof ran about $18,000.

“I tried to get help from every single resource you can imagine,” she said.

But nothing worked. Then, she heard about the annual contest at Guardian Roofing, which awards an individual in need with a free roof.

Community members nominate homeowners for the award – and then vote for the most deserving nominee.

Williams applied last year – but did not win. “I didn’t know how to handle it,” she said.

This year, she decided to take a different approach. She knew reaching out to ask for votes would be the key to her success.

But Williams faced a major hurdle. She discovered she was a finalist a week into the voting.

“I panicked,” she said. “I was so far behind.”

Luckily, friends reached out and offered to help, sharing her story on social media.

“It just got shared and shared and shared,” Williams said. “I was getting votes from England, New Zealand, Africa, Norway and all over the U.S. They were coming in from everywhere.”

She soon caught up with the other finalists. “It became this big thing,” she said. “Everybody was rooting for me so much. I can’t even explain how grateful and amazed I am.”

Williams moved to West Seattle in 1964 and worked at a local bar for decades – where she met many members of the community. She is thankful for the outpouring of support from the neighborhood, which pulled together to help her in a time of need.

And she is particularly grateful for Guardian Roofing. “This company has heart,” she said. “They’re trying to give back.”

A crew spent 11 hours on the roof on Friday, Aug. 12 – and then returned first thing in the morning on Saturday.

The company hosted a celebration in Williams’ front year on Saturday – supplying
food and beverages for her neighbors, family and supporters.

The company’s co-owner Aaron Santas said the roof contest has been going strong for 11 years – but Williams received the most backing.

He explained that last year, in total, 500 people voted in the contest.

This year, Williams racked up 1,000 votes alone.

“It went viral,” Santas said.

He said donations from suppliers GAF and Allied Building Products helped the company handle the extensive repair.

“We feel compelled to give, because we can,” Santas said. “This was a really awesome thing that happened in the community. And that’s what this is really all about – coming together and helping out someone who deserves it.”