{"id":54257,"date":"2025-11-17T21:51:12","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T02:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/community-teams-up-to-fix-a-vietnam-era-veterans-roof\/17\/11\/2025\/"},"modified":"2025-11-17T21:51:12","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T02:51:12","slug":"community-teams-up-to-fix-a-vietnam-era-veterans-roof","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/community-teams-up-to-fix-a-vietnam-era-veterans-roof\/17\/11\/2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Community teams up to fix a Vietnam-era veteran\u2019s roof"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\n<\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">GRAND LEDGE, Mich. (WLNS) \u2014 An effort is underway in Grand Ledge to help a 77-year-old Vietnam-era veteran get a new roof, and it all started with a GoFundMe page made by his neighbor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rhonda Barlow has lived next to 77-year-old Randy Maloney for five years and hopes the two of them can reach their $9,000 goal to get him the home he deserves.\u00a0The two are more than just neighbors \u2014 they\u2019re like family.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Randy Maloney (left) and Rhonda Barlow (right). (WLNS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cYou know, we talk about all kinds of things, and she\u2019s just become sort of like a sister to me, you know?\u201d said Maloney.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Barlow says the two met while she was sitting on her porch outside of her home, and then Maloney approached her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cHe\u2019s such a wonderful person, Randy is. He\u2019s so caring, giving,\u201d said Rhonda Barlow.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Rhonda Barlow (left) and Randy Maloney (right). (WLNS)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/GhjIe09XNBYZ5Y59XkTzQQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlns_lansing_articles_314\/3af2a92eea90cc0a36ba943580ac2253\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Rhonda Barlow (left) and Randy Maloney (right). (WLNS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Maloney says the home was built in 1904, and the roof hasn\u2019t been fixed in a very long time, leading to leaks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cWe\u2019ve got buckets in the dining room,\u201d said Maloney.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Barlow says when she noticed Maloney\u2019s leaky roof and financial struggles, she knew she had to lend a helping hand.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cHe tried to do what he could to patch, repair, save some money, and things were just getting out of hand for him,\u201d said Barlow.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"The roof. (WLNS)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/5xRFjx3F9E3fG87f_iH7ZA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlns_lansing_articles_314\/77585a599dcf9db1a66e96cd52369a00\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>The roof. (WLNS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">So, Barlow took to Facebook and posted on the Grand Ledge community page.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">This caught the eye of Dave Rademacher, Director of Sales and Purchasing for Brunette Home Improvement.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cI reached out to Rhonda directly. We met here on the property,\u201d said Dave Rademacher. \u201cI took a look at it and then just started thinking about how we could take care of him on it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rademacher asked his competitor and friend, Dan Smeak with ACME Home Exteriors, to join in on the challenge.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Dan Smeak (left) and Dave Rademacher (right). (WLNS)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Vv22CnfUcTb3Hk7FSPgTPg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlns_lansing_articles_314\/b1a4a4eb412a3109013455371f048a49\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Dan Smeak (left) and Dave Rademacher (right). (WLNS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201c[We] have donated in the community in the past. We\u2019re both active with Habitat for Humanity. Dan\u2019s company has done a number of veteran homes as well,\u201d said Rademacher.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Rademacher says, so far, the two contractors are trying to get materials donated and find people to help repair the roof.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"(WLNS)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/qieupVn4N3_b5PELatWdQA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlns_lansing_articles_314\/3d6fe4c84064292139e4d91762d33e17\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>(WLNS)<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">No matter when those repairs happen, Barlow and Maloney say they are happy to know there are others with a heart of gold.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">\u201cIt\u2019s just an inspiration to me that there\u2019s so many good people that really. If they have the means, they want to help,\u201d said Barlow.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">If you want to help Maloney and Barlow reach their goal, follow <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gofundme.com\/f\/support-a-veterans-home-repairs?attribution_id=sl:bd682004-c1e2-42fe-b4a9-f60c8c630ee5&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1763127197&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:this link;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \">this link<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><i>Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/i><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wlns.com\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"> For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. <\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/news\/articles\/community-teams-fix-vietnam-era-005640683.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>GRAND LEDGE, Mich. (WLNS) &mdash; An effort is underway in Grand Ledge to help a 77-year-old Vietnam-era veteran get a new roof,<br \/><button class=\"read-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/world\/community-teams-up-to-fix-a-vietnam-era-veterans-roof\/17\/11\/2025\/\">Read More &rsaquo;<\/a><\/button><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":54258,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/wlns_lansing_articles_314\/fa2efa9cfe8bbffa4deeb4c82a4a0410","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54257"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=54257"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/54257\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54258"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=54257"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=54257"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=54257"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}