BY JENN SAMSEL
Special to the Monitor
After several decades of delayed repair, the Keystone Heights Woman’s Club finally got a new roof and air conditioning units.
During a severe rainstorm, the club’s facility on Woman’s Club Road unexpectedly experienced a significant leak, prompting members to begin their roof project earlier than planned. The new roof was initially scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025.
According to Dane Bell, Senior Project Manager at Interstate Roofing, a tarp and some roofing materials were brought in to temporarily cover the hole.
“The Woman’s Club strategized and found some very generous donors in the community,” Bell said. “We started that project within 10 days of that tarp being on the roof.”
Scott Oclon with Air Innovations immediately removed some air conditioning units from the roof, along with a local electrician and a pest control company.
Air Innovations initiated the upgrades of the new air conditioning units in April. However, the completion was delayed until the new roof was installed, as removing the units was necessary first.
“We had already raised a significant portion in referral money that his company has been graciously giving for referrals for roofs in the area, and that was a good part of it,” said Brooklyn Hayes-Yelin, Woman’s Club co-president. “We also had a large donation from 3 Shacks Capital Partners in Keystone Heights. We could pull together the funds from a member who had passed away and left some money behind for us in case of emergency. This was a pretty large emergency that was necessary.”
Due to the unexpected damage caused by the ants, the club incurred an additional $16,400 in materials and labor to replace the infested wood.
Hayes-Yelin said Interstate Roofing had been generous in allowing the Women’s Club to make payments.
The club is hosting a fundraiser on June 21 called the Speakeasy, sponsored by Capital City Bank, to reduce its debt related to the repairs. Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased online. All proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards the roof.
The co-president said club members intend to host additional fundraisers and community events to eliminate the roof debt.
Hayes-Yelin added, “We have a wonderful referral (arrangement with Interstate Roofing). Dane has been amazing in everything, and he gives 50% of his commission to (our project) when (a customer) mentions that they heard about him through the Woman’s Club.”
The club’s other co-president, Samantha Key, thanked everyone in the community who helped her organization during the project.
“We had a lot of people step up and help, and it’s still ongoing, obviously, and it’s not going to end with the roof,” Key said. “Our doors are open for anybody who wants to check us out.”
