We received an award of recognition today from Joe Allwein of the newly merged Chesapeake Habitat for Humanity. The award was given to us as thanks for installing new rubber roof membrane systems on the homes they are rebuilding in Brooklyn Park.

Although the award was given to Fichtner Services as a company, special thanks and credit need to be given to several individuals: Douglas Gomez, Jose Romero, Matthew Sherman, Felipe Ramos, Larry Coulter, Rolando Melendez, Jose Rodriguez and Nelson Cruz. These men volunteered their own time, without pay, and on a weekend, to give back to the community from which they felt that they have benefited.

A special thanks is also given to Met-Fab, a metal roofing and trim fabrication company, for supplying and folding the coping details for these roofs. Bill, Jim and Hugh are always there to help us out.

My parents, Mary and Jerry Fichtner, have contributed decades of service to Habitat for Humanity. They served as construction laborers, board members, volunteer coordinators, meal preparers for volunteers, as well as any other little task that might be asked of them. They began their work with Habitat in the late 80’s and helped construct the first home that Arundel Habitat ever built. They also helped build one of the most notable projects, the Lighthouse Shelter on West Street in Annapolis.

My parents involvement with Habitat for Humanity quickly waned as my mother was stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), but hopefully I can continue my family’s involvement in my own small way for years to come as well as encourage other people, such as the men listed above, to give back to their communities in some way.

Tom Fichtner