Boak & Sons Employees Rally Behind Recovering Coworker and Friend
At Boak & Sons you aren't just an employee, you are a part of the Boak & Sons family. When coworker, Justin Glaum, lost his leg unexpectedly, Boak employees volunteered to get his home ready for his return from the hospital.
AUSTINTOWN, Ohio, July 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Justin Glaum has been a roofer with Boak & Sons for 8 years. He recently suffered an injury that unexpectedly left him in critical condition after his foot became infected by a flesh-eating bacterium. His leg was amputated above the knee to ensure the bacteria would not progress and now he has a long recovery ahead of him. Sam Boak, president of Boak & Sons, knew there had to be something he could do to help Justin and his family in their time of need.
Like most people, Justin Glaum had a list of summer home renovation projects on his to do list. While no one plans for an accident or unexpected health problem, Justin and his family certainly hadn't prepared for his injury to turn into a life-threatening situation. Justin contracted methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus, or MSSA, which resulted in an amputation above his knee on July 3, 2019. He spent six and a half weeks in University Hospital in Cleveland and is currently in the Mercy Health-St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital Inpatient Rehabilitation acute care unit recovering.
To prepare for his return home, his family considered the challenges he'd face as an amputee. The list of things he wanted to tackle this summer ballooned as they thought-out how he'd get in and out and around his home.
On Sunday, July 21, 2019, Boak & Sons trucks lined the street in Mineral Ridge where Justin Glaum lives with his family to help alleviate some of their stress. Approximately twenty Boak & Sons employees joined members of the Weathersfield Township Fire Department to build a handicap ramp, install grip bars, update landscaping, fix the fascia and gutters, and address other concerns around the Glaum home to prepare for his homecoming.
"I shed happy tears," said Justin's wife, Jessica Glaum. "There are no words to express our gratitude for all they have done." The couple has two children, Kiara, 11, and Rylee, 9. Aside from working at Boak and Sons, Justin was a 10-year member of the volunteer Weathersfield Township Fire Department.
"It was incredible to see the way everyone came together," said Chris White, Vice President of Operations at Boak & Sons. "I get goosebumps just thinking about it." Boak employees worked from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the house. Another group returned the following Monday, July 22, 2019 to complete additional landscaping projects. "I wanted to be a part of the healing process by showing my support," says Steve Manna, a residential shingler at Boak & Sons. "It is very powerful to know that more people care than you may think."
If you have any questions about Justin Glaum and his story, or Sam Boak, please contact Kellie Daley at 330-73-5646 or [email protected].
About Boak & Sons:
Boak & Sons, Inc. was founded by Sam Boak in 1974 as an insulation contractor. With the high energy costs of the 70's, Boak & Sons expanded early on into the roofing business. They offered economical roof installations through cutting edge technology and equipment, allowing customers to recoup even more in energy savings. Today, Boak & Sons is a residential and commercial contractor for roofing, insulation, sheet metal, windows, siding, and gutters. Based in Youngstown, Ohio, the company serves customers in surrounding areas from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. For more information on Boak & Sons, visit their website at: https://www.boakandsons.com/
SOURCE Boak & Sons
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