THERE’S NO CEILING FOR ROOFER’S PARTNERSHIP WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Orange County’s Antis Roofing & Waterproofing, has shaped his philanthropic path by recruiting partners for his “tribe of good.”  Over the years, he’s built up an entourage of like-minded companies and individuals who have joined his journey to create purpose in the corporate space.

 “When someone hears about the roofer who fixes a roof for free, maybe another contractor, the HVAC guy, says, ‘Maybe I can do that.’ There is this movement that takes shape.”

Antis is leading the way by choosing to give his time and resources to organizations whose vision and values align with his. One such group is Habitat for Humanity OC, to which Antis Roofing & Waterproofing has donated every roof installation of every home built by the nonprofit since 2009 in partnership with Eagle Roofing Products. That’s over 80 families housed and $1 million in “in-kind” donations.

Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

Antis himself serves on the board of the Orange County organization – one of many community engagement roles he holds. There couldn’t be a better fit. Like Antis, Habitat’s mission is to bring people together to build homes, community and hope.

Through his involvement with the group, Antis says, “Everyone knows that I stand for the idea that everyone deserves a decent place to live.” Staying true to that motivator, Antis has done wonders.

Little did Antis know that helping others would also help the company he founded some 30 years ago. “Our culture has never been higher; our company has never been stronger,” Antis says. “We’re giving people purpose.”

Antis tells of how his crew chipped in to offer help during the early days of the pandemic, when work was slow. “We started calling nonprofits and donated another 30 roofs. We trained our guys for it. Our mindset is built for the long haul.”

As companies work to attract and retain top talent in today’s job market, Antis believes corporate philanthropy and social responsibility will set apart firms like his. “We ooze with purpose,” he says. “If you can attract employees who are the ones leading the change, there’s nothing more powerful.

This “currency of social good” conjures images of how businesses used to be, he says. “We take care of people,” Antis says. “I sleep better at night, regardless of how the business is doing.”

The work of Habitat for Humanity continues to change lives in Orange County. Currently, six townhomes are under construction in Stanton with completion expected in February.

For Antis, purpose-driven projects are the new norm. “My generation had been so competitive,” he says, “But there is this turn in business to purpose. We’re emerging into a new world to lift everyone.”

[Article published by OC Register, Sunday, November 21, 2021]