On November 10, 2026, WTOL 11 aired a story about Floyd "Butch" Stewart. He is the Toledo veteran who received a free roof from Great Lakes Home Remodeling last year. Reporter Anneliese Cornejo Garcia visited Stewart and his wife, Jody, at their home in east Toledo. Her story, Great Lakes Home Remodeling to give away free roof to a Toledo-area veteran, also reported that Project Homefront is choosing its 2026 recipient this week.
Stewart is a Vietnam War veteran who grew up in Toledo. He was drafted in the late 1960s, in one of the last groups of men required to serve. A small soldier statue stands in his front yard, wearing the same style of green-spotted helmet he wore in the Army.
Two years into his service, Stewart was driving a truck full of soldiers when it crashed. Doctors told him the injuries were permanent. He told WTOL he has lived with that disability for close to 39 years.
Years later, the Stewarts noticed their roof was failing. Stewart described hearing it snap and crack as the structure shifted. With a limited income, the couple told WTOL a replacement was out of reach.
When shingles and decking break down, water reaches the insulation, ceilings, and framing. For an older homeowner on a fixed income, one leak can lead to mold and damaged drywall. The repair bill can end up larger than the cost of the roof.
Stewart's brother, Bob, heard about our plan to give a free roof to a local veteran and told him about it. The Stewarts were chosen as last year's recipient. The full account is in our post on Floyd Stewart's free roof replacement in Toledo, which 13ABC also covered last December.
Our crew tore off the old roof and installed the new one in two days. GAF joined us on install day, and the crew hauled away the debris and cleaned the yard before leaving. The Stewarts paid nothing for materials, labor, or disposal.
Jody Stewart told WTOL she broke down and cried when the work was finished. She said it was because she knew the couple no longer had to worry about the roof.
Our social media manager, Jenson Strock, spoke with WTOL. "We install roofs every day, so if we can take that and give it to somebody who really deserves it, then that means the world to us," she said.
Project Homefront is open again this year for veteran homeowners in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. We will select the next recipient this week and replace their roof at no cost. The work will be done by the same crews who handle our roof replacements every day, with the same materials and warranty.
Stewart had advice for whoever is chosen next. He told WTOL not to be afraid, because the program is not a scam. He said the people behind it are trying to help.
Anyone can submit a nomination, and veterans can nominate themselves. The form takes a few minutes, and the program is open to homeowners in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The steps are short:
Submit a nomination on the Project Homefront veteran nomination form. Questions can go to our office at (888) 589-7173, Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm ET, or Saturday from 10am to 4pm ET.
Some Toledo homeowners will not qualify but still have a roof that needs attention. Our team offers free estimates through our Toledo roofing office.
Thank you to WTOL 11 and Anneliese Cornejo Garcia for telling the Stewarts' story, and to GAF for supporting the project. Thank you also to Floyd and Jody Stewart for sharing their story with the community. We will share the 2026 recipient's story once their roof is finished.
DemandIQ pulls your roof's measurements from satellite imagery and returns an installed price range — no rep visit required.
We deliver dependable solutions with craftsmanship, honesty, and care. Protect your home today and for years to come.
Excellence in Design, Installation, and ServiceFully Licensed, Bonded, & InsuredAffordable Financing Options AvailableCustomer Service Above All ElseTop-Rated Local Contractor
1602 W Bancroft St, Toledo, OH 43606
1395 Wheaton Ave, Suite 700, Troy, MI 48083
7401 1st Pl Unit M, Oakwood, OH 44146
