Everybody talks about how important it is to give back to the community, but Addison Township resident Dan Davis is putting his money where his mouth is in a really big way.
The owner of Royal Roofing Company, located at 2445 Brown Rd. in Orion Township, has agreed to donate a roof for the new Addison Township hall that’s going to be built in Lakeville this year. Davis? contribution will include all the materials (roofing, flashing, gutters and trim) and labor.
‘I’ve lived there for 15 years. It’s a nice little town and this is just something I could do (for it),? Davis said. ‘I’ve been fortunate in business and I’m fortunate to be able to do something like this. I’m thankful for that.?
The donation amounts to approximately $80,000 based on what the township has budgeted for the new roof, according to Addison Supervisor Bruce Pearson.
Pearson is over the moon about it.
‘This is possibly the largest donation we’ve ever received,? he said. ‘I’m eternally grateful. When somebody makes a donation like this, that’s just huge (for) the community. It speaks very loudly (about) how benevolent that person is and apparently, how much he thinks of this community.?
Davis wants township officials to use the money they’re going to save on the new roof to pay for other items on their ‘wish list? for the new hall.
According to Pearson, the savings could be used to build an outdoor patio area and/or indoor fireplace for the new senior center, a reception area for the Oakland County Sheriff’s substation, a lighted clock for the front of the hall or a small parking area by the senior center entrance.
‘I have to present this to the board and I’ll let them pick and choose what they would like to add,? he said.
Township officials have budgeted $2.4 million for the new hall, however, when the actual bids come in, they expect it to cost well below that amount if everything goes as anticipated.
In addition to supplying the new roof, Pearson said Davis also offered to make some temporary repairs to the existing roof ‘to keep us dry until the new building’s up.?
The old roof has been leaking like a sieve for quite a while. ‘I have four buckets in my office right now,? Pearson said.
Last week, the sheriff’s substation flooded.
?(The water) came down in a big whoosh and soaked the floor,? Pearson said.
When it comes to installing and repairing roofs, Royal Roofing is not some fly-by-night company. It’s been around since 1951.
Davis has owned the business for 32 years and does an average of about 200 commercial and industrial roofs annually.
‘We do work all over the country,? said Davis, who noted some of Royal Roofing’s customers include Ford, General Motors and the Oxford school district.
The supervisor noted Davis doesn’t expect anything in return for his contribution to the community.
Davis was actually a little uncomfortable being interviewed about it.
‘I don’t do it for notoriety or so I can get my name in the paper,? he said. ‘I do it because I want to.?
To Pearson, Davis is a prime example of the volunteer spirit and generous nature his township residents possess.
‘The citizens of Addison Township never cease to amaze me,? he said. ‘Good people do good things. It’s just a way of life in Addison Township.?