﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:a10="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title>Staff &amp; Reader Submitted</title><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter</link><description>Staff &amp; Reader Submitted</description><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/350366171/Guardian_Roofing_Celebrates_National_Roofing_Week_with_2025_HALO_Project_Recipients</link><author>Dana Cobb</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Guardian Roofing Celebrates National Roofing Week with 2025 HALO Project Recipients</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Fred and Rebecca Moore of Lake Stevens Receive Much-Needed Roof Replacement for a Lifetime of Giving Back&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;As part of &lt;a href="https://www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week"&gt;National Roofing Week&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.guardianroofing.com/"&gt;Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation&lt;/a&gt; proudly announces Fred and Rebecca Moore of Lake Stevens as the recipients of the &lt;a href="https://www.guardianroofing.com/guardian-roofing-gutters-halo-project/"&gt;2025 HALO Project&lt;/a&gt;. This annual initiative donates a complete roof replacement to a deserving local homeowner in need. This years recipients exemplify dedication to faith, family, and community.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Fred Moore, a Vietnam veteran, retired pastor, and active member of a local motorcycle ministry, and his wife Rebecca, a youth mentor and Lake Stevens school bus driver, have spent their lives giving to others. Though they never had biological children, they opened their home and hearts to two daughters through their church, providing a nurturing and stable home under a roof now in critical disrepair.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Every year since the programs start in 2018, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to give back to our community in a way that is meaningful to us, said Lori Swanson, owner of Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation. This is the second time weve been able to work with a retired member of the U.S. military. Fred and Rebecca continue to serve their community and family with grace and humility. Theyve raised children under this roof, and now, its our turn to give something back to them.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The couples roof, installed in 1999, is deterioratingsoft in spots and covered with moss. Despite Freds reliance on oxygen due to COPD and long COVID, he climbed the roof this past February to perform annual upkeep. Rebecca, battling a knee injury, could only watch. Financial strain and physical limitations made the repairs impossible without help.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Swanson shared From the moment read the heartfelt nomination for the Moores, we knew we had found something special. Their story, their service, and their spirit are exactly what HALO is all about.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;The Meaning of HALO&lt;/b&gt;&lt;br /&gt; Swanson continued,  We believe its important to understand the foundation of this project. H stands for Helpingour neighbors, our community. A stands for Achieving a purposemeeting a real need. L stands for Lastingbuilding trust and lasting relationships. And O stands for Overcomehelping families move past obstacles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Since its inception, the Guardian HALO Project has grown with support from valued industry partners including &lt;a href="https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us"&gt;Owens Corning&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://soundbuildingsupply.com/"&gt;Sound Building Supply&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.becn.com/"&gt;Beacon Building Supply&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.veluxusa.com/"&gt;Velux Skylights&lt;/a&gt; ,&lt;a href="https://milesresources.com/"&gt;Miles Resources&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.service-partners.com/"&gt;Service Partners&lt;/a&gt;. Their continued contributions help make life-changing home improvements possible for families like the Moores.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Guardian Roofing is proud to mark National Roofing Week by giving back to those who have given so muchand to ensure Fred and Rebecca Moore can enjoy retirement with peace of mind and a solid roof over their heads.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;MORE ABOUT GUARDIAN HOMES HALO PROJECT AND PAST WINNERS: &lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project"&gt;https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt; &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3513869132/guardian_halo_logo.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3513869171/halo-06.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3513869643/halo-07.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:56:09 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/350523430/Veterans_Day</link><author>Leslie McGehee</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Veterans Day</title><description>&lt;p&gt;This Veterans Day, we honor and thank those who have served our country with bravery and dedication. Your sacrifices have paved the way for the freedoms we cherish today.&lt;br /&gt;From all of us at &lt;a href="https://LetYouKnow.com"&gt;LetYouKnow.com&lt;/a&gt;, we express our deepest gratitude to our veterans and their families.  Wishing you peace, strength, and appreciation on this day and always.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;#VeteransDay #ThankYouVeterans #HonoringOurHeroes #Gratitude #MilitaryAppreciation #ServiceAndSacrifice #VeteranSupport #honor #RespectAndHonor #UnitedWeStand #Veterans #weremember #honorthefallen&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3518508020/navy_blue_red_american_veterans_day_instagram_post_instagram_post_1.png?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 11 Nov 2024 20:58:05 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/350155852/Family-Owned_Guardian_Roofing_Announces_2024_HALO_Project_Recipient</link><author>Dana Cobb</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Family-Owned Guardian Roofing Announces 2024 HALO Project Recipient</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;b&gt;Lakewood Veteran and family gifted new roof and gutters for HALOs Sixth Anniversary Giveaway&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Auburn-based and family-owned &lt;a href="http://www.guardianhome.com/"&gt;Guardian Roofing, Gutters&lt;/a&gt; &amp; Insulation has announced Lakewood residents Steven Sorensen and his wife Penney, as the recipient of Guardians give-back community program, the &lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/guardian-roofing-gutters-halo-project/"&gt;Guardian HALO Project&lt;/a&gt;, which helps provide a family in need with a new roof or roof repair. The new installation and repairs occurred in July on the 1600-square-foot, 63-year-old home.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Mr. Sorensen, who served the United States for eight years in the Air Force and as part of Air Rescue and in Vietnam, received a new roof, skylight, gutters, and additional repairs during the two-day reconstruction project. As part of the sixth annual by-nomination award, their grown daughter Stephani wrote, My parents have lived in this house since 1979. They are 79 and 83 years old, still very independent but my 83-year-old dad keeps going onto the roof and patching leaks. We scold him but he doesnt listen. He takes care of a few repairs that have been needed inside. Hes very handy, an Air Force veteran, and previously owned his own small business.It would give us all so much peace of mind to have a new roof to last them the rest of their lifetime.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Starting in 2018, Guardian's in-house team has taken part in an annual community program initiated by the company. "Every year since the program's start, we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to give back to our community in a way that is meaningful to us. This is the first year we have been able to work with a retired member of the US military, who continues to give back to the community and their family. Through the HALO project, we offer a major roof repair or replacement to a local homeowner in dire need, aiming to improve the lives of individuals in our community by providing the security and peace of mind that a new roof brings," explained Lori Swanson, the owner of Guardian Roofing, Gutters, and Insulation. We know that the Sorensens have their children and grandchildren over almost every day and now no one will have to worry about Grandpa getting on the roof and possibly injuring himself!&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Luke De Monnin, the HALO Project Manager for Guardian Roofing and Gutters, also expresses his satisfaction with the program: "The HALO project is a highlight of our year. From the initial homeowner selection to the completion of the project, we are consistently grateful for the opportunity to connect with the community in a more profound and impactful manner than any other activity we're involved in.  We are committed to nurturing and expanding this program in the years to come."&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;THE MEANING OF HALO &lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We believe it is important to understand the basis of this project to understand how deep its reach is, says Swanson.  Simply put, the H stands for helping, this can include helping the community and families, or simply enriching others lives. A stands for achieving a purpose and successfully filling a need. L stands for lasting, not only a company that lasts but fostering lasting relationships as well. Finally, O stands for overcome meaning completing peoples needs that resulted from outlying obstacles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Partner manufacturers, distributors, and industry professionals who contribute their services or products to the Guardian Halo Project include &lt;a href="https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us"&gt;Owens Corning&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://soundbuildingsupply.com/"&gt;Sound Building Supply&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.becn.com/"&gt;Beacon Building Supply&lt;/a&gt;, &lt;a href="https://www.veluxusa.com/"&gt;Velux Skylights&lt;/a&gt; ,&lt;a href="https://milesresources.com/"&gt;Miles Resources&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.service-partners.com/"&gt;Service Partners&lt;/a&gt;.  &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;MORE ABOUT GUARDIAN HOMES HALO PROJECT AND PAST WINNERS: &lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project"&gt;https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;About Guardian Roofing, LLC&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Guardian Roofing, LLC is an award-winning professional roofing contractor in the Seattle market, serving homeowners since 2005 in the counties of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap and Thurston. Founders Lori and Matt Swanson have more than 60 years of combined roofing experience and employ a team of more than 100 skilled and professionally certified craftsmen who assist customers with their roof, gutter, attic, masonry, and skylight needs. Recognized in 2022 as one of the fastest-growing private companies by the Puget Sound Business Journal, Guardian is rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau and has been named a top 100 Roofing Contractor in the U.S. by Roofing Contractors Magazine. For more information, visit www.GuardianHome.com.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3512049153/pr_2024_1.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3512049142/pr_2024_5.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3512049164/pr_2024_4.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3512049114/pr_2024_2.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3512049473/pr_2024_3.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:59:56 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/359301624/Female-led_Guardian_Roofing_Gutters_Insulation_Partners_with_Rebuilding_Together_of_South_Sound</link><author>Dana Cobb</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Female-led Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation Partners with Rebuilding Together of South Sound</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Female homeowner in need receives donated new roof from dedicated community members&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The powerhouse women of &lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/"&gt;Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation&lt;/a&gt; have done it again by helping to install a brand-new roof in partnership with the Seattle Chapter of National Women in Roofing and Rebuilding Together of South Sound as part of She Build.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The She Build is a powerful collaboration between the members of &lt;a href="https://www.nationalwomeninroofing.org/council/seattle-council/"&gt;the Seattle Chapter of National Women in Roofing&lt;/a&gt; and &lt;a href="https://www.rebuildingtogetherss.org/"&gt;Rebuilding Together South Sound. &lt;/a&gt; Together we are committed to helping other women in need by replacing their roof so they can have a safe and healthy home. This is more than just construction; it's a statement that we build stronger, together, said Guardian CEO Lori Swanson. As an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Guardian was able to tap their charitable giving program, &lt;a href="https://www.owenscorning.com/en-us/roofing/contractors/oc-platinum-gives-back"&gt;Platinum Gives Back&lt;/a&gt;, to solicit donated Owens Corning shingle products for the new roof.  The overall scope of this years She Build project included the removal of the old roof system, a complete resheathing of the entire roof decking, upgrading the ventilation, and a new Asphalt Shingle Roof System.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In advance of the installation, &lt;a href="https://www.fieldsroofservice.com/"&gt;Fields Roof Service&lt;/a&gt;, also based in Western Washington, prepared the home with the roof tear-off and reasheathing. &lt;a href="https://www.becn.com/"&gt;Beacon Roofing Supply&lt;/a&gt; made the project possible with the delivery of materials and then the team of Guardian technicians were able to bring the She Build project home quickly and efficiently considering the weather and effects of our springtime rain, continued Swanson.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In support of the project and as part of their commitment to empowering women in the construction industry, Guardian launched a safety and installation training program for their team so they could put these skills to work at this years She Build event. We choose to encourage community participation and empowerment among our team members and the She Build event brings together our team, its partners, and community organizations who are dedicated to advancing the housing and community issues affecting women, says Swanson.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Women-led and women-focused, She Build provides critical repairs for women-headed households and women-focused community spaces to empower women to maintain safe and healthy homes, make a difference in their communities, and build a supportive community network.  Participants come to the builds with a myriad of experiences and skills to share and learn from each other.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;If youd like to learn more about Rebuilding Together South Sound or National Women in Roofing please visit their websites at https://rebuildingtogetherss.org/ and https://www.nationalwomeninroofing.org/&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3510068573/guardian_1.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3510068911/guardian_3.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3510068944/guardian_2.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3510068961/guardain_4.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 12:04:39 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/359884311/Family-Owned_Guardian_Roofing_is_Now_Accepting_Nominations_for_the_2024_HALO_Project</link><author>Dana Cobb</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Family-Owned Guardian Roofing is Now Accepting Nominations for the 2024 HALO Project</title><description>&lt;p align="center"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Annual contest contributes to the community by gifting a new roof to a deserving local family &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/"&gt;Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation&lt;/a&gt;, a family-owned business in Auburn, has for decades had a deep-rooted commitment to community and social responsibility. The pinnacle of their dedication materialized in 2018 with the launch of the Guardian HALO Project, an annual contest where deserving local families are nominated to receive a new roof or roof repair. The company has recently announced the opening of nominations for the &lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project/"&gt;2024 Guardian HALO Project&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Lori Swanson, the owner of Guardian Roofing and Gutters, emphasizes their belief that with great blessings comes great responsibility. Given the support from their team, clients, and the community, they consider it an honor to use their unique business position to gift a new roof system to a local family facing financial challenges.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Swanson notes that a new roof system can range from $16,000 to $80,000, depending on factors like scale and materials used. Beyond the immediate improvement in quality of life, the long-term impact and value provided by a new roof make this program a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The Guardian team, led internally, will select a local homeowner in dire need of major roof repair or replacement. The community is encouraged to nominate themselves or others through the Guardian website for a chance to receive this life-changing prize.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Over the past five years and five rounds of the Guardian Halo Project, Guardian Roofing &amp; Gutters has generously awarded four new roofs to local families. Luke De Monnin, HALO Project Manager for Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation expresses the profound connection the project fosters between the team and the community. From the selection process to project completion, the passion invested each year goes beyond providing a free roofit marks the beginning of a lasting, close relationship with the recipient family and the entire community involved. The HALO Project remains a major highlight of their year, and they are excited to continue this impactful initiative in 2024.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;For more information and to submit nominations, visit Guardian Roofing Halo Project.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project/"&gt;&lt;strong&gt;https://www.guardianhome.com/lp_pg/guardian-roofing-halo-project/&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;THE MEANING OF HALO &lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;We believe it is important to understand the basis of this project to understand how deep its reach is, says Swanson.  Simply put, the H stands for helping, this can include helping the community, families, or simply enriching others lives. A stands for achieving a purpose and successfully filling a need. L stands for lasting, not only a company that lasts but fostering lasting relationships as well. Finally, O stands for overcome meaning completing peoples needs that resulted from outlying obstacles.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Partner manufacturers, distributors, and industry professionals who contribute their services or products to the Guardian Halo Project include Owens Corning, Sound Building Supply, Beacon, Velux, and more. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3519813503/halo_pic.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:28:31 Z</pubDate></item><item><link>https://seattle.bubblelife.com/community/seattle_ireporter/library/35828250/key/359270152/Guardian_Roofing_Gutters_and_Insulation_Honors_CEO_Lori_Swanson_During_Women_in_Construction_Week</link><author>Local News</author><category>Lifestyle</category><title>Guardian Roofing Gutters and Insulation Honors CEO Lori Swanson During Women in Construction Week</title><description>&lt;p&gt;In observance of Women in Construction Week (March 3-9,2024) Guardian Roofing, Gutters &amp; Insulation is proud to show their appreciation of CEO Lori Swanson. In 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that only 10.8% of construction workers in the United States are women. In 2005, Swanson boldly entered the male-dominated construction industry by founding Guardian Roofing and Gutters.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Reflecting on her journey, Swanson expressed gratitude for the inspiring initiatives of women in the industry. She emphasized the increasing support and opportunities available to women in construction. Swanson aims to inspire others like her to pursue rewarding careers in this vital industry where about 13% of all construction companies are now owned by women, a 94% increase since 2007.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;Growing up in a family of roofing contractors, Swanson's passion for the field was ignited early. She pursued the roofing profession during high school and college which prepared her with invaluable experience. From learning the intricacies of roofing to understanding the industry's challenges and opportunities for women, Swanson gained a comprehensive perspective.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Saint Martins College, Swanson devoted herself full-time to the family roofing business. Her diverse roles, from working on roofing crews to serving as Office Manager and later Vice-President of Thompson Roofing, equipped her for leadership. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Roofing Contractors Association for a 3-year term.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;In 2005, Swanson, alongside her husband Matt Swanson, founded Guardian Roofing and Gutters, LLC, driven by her passion for the industry and commitment to serving the community. As Guardian Roofing and Gutters approaches its 20th anniversary, Swanson celebrates the company's growth and impact on the Pacific Northwest community and the construction industry as a whole. &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="https://seattle.bubblelife.com/viewimage/key/3519969050/wic_2024.jpg?w=512&amp;h=384"&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description><pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:36:00 Z</pubDate></item></channel></rss>