Jason Smith is the owner and contractor for Titan Drywall & Construction, who gives back to those in true need of home repair. In a previous Christmas season, Jason was watching the news and heard the story of a sick, double-amputee veteran who was swindled by a company hired to repair the windows in this veteran’s home. Jason says, “this was the first time I ever really jumped on something like this, so I called the news station and went out there that next day.” Jason reassured the veteran, Wayne, and his wife Loretta that everything would be taken care of – free of charge. Jason recalls Wayne wanting to chat at the end of each day, wanting to know the status of the job. “So I’d go back there and talk to him for about 30 or 45 minutes every day. And the day we finished,” says Jason, “I went back there and I said to Mr. Wayne ‘Man, everything is good.’ And he (Wayne) said ‘so I don’t have to worry about nothing?’ and I said, ‘Sir, everything is 100 percent done. You don’t ever have to worry about that stuff again, boss.’ And he (Wayne) said ‘Alright. I just want to shake your hand and tell you thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.’ And he goes, ‘I can rest now.’” Jason remembers that conversation to this day and says it is one he’ll never forget.

The morning after the job was complete, Jason received a call from Loretta saying that Wayne had passed away that night. “It really set me back,” says Jason. “But I was talking to my wife and she said ‘you know what probably happened was Mr. Wayne was at peace. He was hanging on and you allowed him to go.’ And yeah, I believe he was holding out to make sure his family was taken care of.”

When considering giving back to others, Jason says, “I came from absolutely nothing, so I don’t mind leaving with nothing. Whatever I’ve got is yours. We try to give back, any chance, any day of the month, but my aspect is, I give 24/7.”