Four lucky families will soon get the Christmas present of a lifetime.

Reed’s Metals, a company that manufactures metal roofing and pre-engineered steel buildings, recently announced it would be accepting applications for its second annual “Covering the Community” project.

The Brookhaven-based business plans to give away a metal roof to four families from the areas surrounding several of its locations. 

Hundreds of applications were submitted last holiday season, and Bernie Reed, CEO and president of Reed’s Metals, anticipates twice as many this year since the company announced it will sponsor the contest each year.

“Mississippi has been so good to us ever since we started the home office on June 1, 1998, out of a small, portable shed in Lawrence County,” he said. “We now have 10 stores to better serve our customers. What a long way we’ve come. We just want to show our appreciation and give back to the community.”

Jessica Breazeale, Reed’s Metals marketing and public relations director, said it is unbelievable how many people in the Lincoln County community need this type of assistance.

“It’s amazing to be part of a great team of people who truly believe in this ‘Covering the Community’ project,” she said. “We get emotionally connected to all the stories that come flooding in. It’s hard choosing a winner, but we do have a panel of judges that review each application so that the best winner — the most deserving — is chosen.”

Sara Armstrong was selected as the roof recipient from Reed’s Metals corporate headquarters in Brookhaven last year. She was nominated by Calvary Baptist Church and Silver Creek Baptist Church.

“I am still in total shock. This has completely changed our whole life,” Armstrong said. “I always felt like I was trying to dig a hole in cement, with a toothpick, but I will never give up. Thank you so much, Reed’s Metals. This is so much more than a roof to my family. It’s a chance for us to live and prosper. I thought this house would rot and fall apart and my family along with it.”

She continued, “This is a huge blessing and its worth more than any material value. Three children will now have a full chance, God-willing, to aspire to their hopes and dreams. I can fix the floors and we’ll be able to use the entire house now. No more dreading the rain. Thank you so much. God bless you. This is the stuff our country is made of—Reed’s Metals. Life is now manageable for me again. I won’t squander the change and in time I will find a way to give back, too.”

Reed’s Metals will be accepting nominations of deserving individuals through noon Dec. 2 at www.reedsmetals.com. The employees of Reed’s Metals will carefully read all submissions, and the family they feel has the greatest need will be chosen. The recipient of the metal roof will be announced Dec. 7.

*Correction: The story incorrectly stated that a Lincoln County family would receive a free metal roof through Reed’s Metals “Covering the Community” campaign. A panel of judges will pick four families in need to receive a free roof this holiday season from the corporation. The families chosen will be selected based on need, not location. A family from Lincoln County could receive a free roof if their need is deemed great enough, but it is not guaranteed.