Roofer to help disabled woman fix damaged roof
Oscar Sandoval, owner of Oasis roofing in El Paso, says he watched ABC 7’s story about the wheelchair-bound woman who may lose her home, and was inspired to help.
Cynthia Lares was left with limited movement after a horrible car crash almost 30 years ago.
The bank is foreclosing on the house because $130,000 is owed on the property.
What caught Sandoval’s attention was the partially collapsed roof in the back part of Lares’ house.
Sun shines through the roof into the house right now, but rain leaks through into three bedrooms on rainy days. Some of the holes in the ceiling are so big, pigeons make their way into the home.
Friday, Sandoval perched the company ladder onto the side of the house and climbed onto the roof.
“The damage is bad. A lot of it is from wind and corrosion,” Sandoval explained to Lares.
The disabled woman does not work and relies on her social security, which she says doesn’t add up to much. She told ABC-7 her husband abandoned her and their children after learning she would never walk again.
The 52-year-old was surprised to learn the house was being foreclosed on because she thought one of her siblings was making the payments. She is currently being represented pro-bono by a local attorney, who admits the fight to keep the banks from taking her home is an uphill battle.
The next trial date is in federal court on October 22nd.
“Normally, the cost of repairing damage to your roof would run anywhere between $6 to 8 thousand dollars. But I can do it for free,” Sandoval told a thankful Lares.
Sandoval tells ABC-7 he will have as many as six workers on the roof within the next few weeks, hoping to finish the job in less than a month.
“I never knew there were so many good people.” Lares said. “I hope that one day I can pay it forward.” she added.
“I was moved after watching Cynthia’s story on your station and I wanted to help. I think other people should come forward and help those who need it,” Sandoval said.
Asked how he’ll be able to afford all the work he’s committed to take on, Sandoval says he sometimes has materials left over from other big jobs, or he asks companies to donate to help people like Lares.
Sandoval says he hopes Lares doesn’t lose the house, but that at least, she’ll be comfortable with a new roof, until then.
