Connor, Brianna and Sienna Miller (left) pose for a picture with Dan Kingkiner of Essential Exteriors (right) as the company installs the family’s new roof. (Photo by Laura Moyer)
Essential Exteriors, a family-owned company based in Eagleville, installed the roof Thursday morning at the Hatfield residence of Brianna and Connor Snook
A local couple raising a medically fragile child has received an early Christmas gift with the donation of a free roof by a local roofing and exterior company.
Essential Exteriors, a family-owned company based in Eagleville, installed the roof Thursday morning at the Hatfield Township residence of Brianna and Connor Snook.
“We’re still in shock,” said Connor Snook. “We still can’t believe they’re on the roof today and that it’s actually happening.”
The Millers are parents to one-year-old Sienna, who was born with VACTERL association and multiple life-threatening birth defects affecting her heart, airway, spine and gastrointestinal system.
“It was completely unexpected,” said Brianna Snook. “We didn’t know until after she was born.”
Sienna spent the first four months of her life in the hospital undergoing open heart surgery alongside numerous other surgeries and procedures. She now relies on a feeding tube and ongoing specialty care requiring regular appointments, with the family making frequent trips to CHOP and Washington, D.C.
As a result of Sienna’s medical challenges, Brianna, who quit her job as an MCIU early intervention specialist shortly before giving birth, was unable to return to work in order to be Sienna’s full-time caretaker.
“It takes up most of our days,” said Brianna Snook. “It’s been a big challenge, both physically and emotionally. One income is very difficult in this current situation we’re in.”
The Snooks moved into the residence in 2022, with full knowledge that the roof was approaching the end of its lifespan and needed to be replaced. However, Sienna’s unexpected medical challenges quickly upended their plans.
“A new roof was in the plans,” said Brianna Snook. “But then she came along and changed our plans greatly.”
But earlier this year, the Snooks were informed by the ARC Alliance that they had been entered into an Essential Exteriors contest for a free roof. A regional non-profit organization, the ARC Alliance offers services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. The organization provides Sienna with speech and physical therapy.
“They sent us an email,” said Brianna Snook. “We said, ‘Let’s try.’ We didn’t think anything would come of it.”
Shortly thereafter, the Snooks received the news that they had won the contest.
“We got the call and were very excited. We could not believe it,” said Brianna Snook. “Connor was in the other room, and I ran in on speaker phone. We were in disbelief.”
The donation marks Essential Exterior’s second roof giveaway in two years. The initiative is deeply personal for owner Dan Kingkiner, whose son lives with autism.
“I know that being a special needs parent is challenging,” said Kingkiner. “So it’s something we can do to make one less worry for a family.”
Kingkiner said the initiative is a team effort, with vendors helping to cover the cost.
“And it’s all new wood,” said Kingkiner. “So it will be up to code, and it will be here for 20 years.”
With the new roof installed, the Snooks expressed nothing but gratitude to everyone involved.
“We are just so appreciative,” said Connor Snook. “It’s really cool to see. The roof was in pretty rough shape, we knew it was coming in the next couple years. So this timing couldn’t be better.”
“This will be a great help,” said Brianna Snook. “We have a lot on our plates, and this is one giant thing that’s been on our plates that now we’ve removed thanks to them.”
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