How Durante Home Exteriors and Roc Solid Foundation Built More Than a Playset for Maverick
For over two decades, Durante Home Exteriors has been proud to call Alabama and Tennessee home. In fact, we recently celebrated our 25th anniversary, a milestone that gave us an opportunity to reflect on the people and communities that have supported us throughout the years. To mark the occasion, we committed ourselves to several community-focused projects designed to give back to the neighbors who have helped make our success possible.
One of those projects brought us together with Roc Solid Foundation for an extremely important mission. It was about helping a child named Maverick, who is courageously battling leukemia, enjoy something every child deserves: the chance to play, laugh, and simply be a kid. Together, we set out to build a backyard playset that could provide moments of joy during an incredibly difficult journey.
A Child Named Maverick, a Backyard, and a Community That Showed Up
Some projects stay with you long after the work is finished. This was one of them.
When Roc Solid Foundation introduced us to Maverick and his family in Warrior, Alabama, we learned about a young boy facing a challenge no child should have to face. Maverick is currently battling leukemia, a disease that affects thousands of families every year and often requires lengthy treatments, hospital stays, and frequent medical appointments.
For children, those realities can make it difficult to enjoy the simple experiences that should define childhood. Time that would normally be spent playing outside, making memories with friends, or exploring the world can instead be spent in waiting rooms and treatment centers. The physical challenges are significant, but so is the loss of normalcy that many families experience along the way.
That's why this project mattered so much. When the opportunity arose to partner with Roc Solid Foundation, we didn't see it as simply building something in a backyard. We saw it as a chance to give Maverick a space that belonged entirely to him—a place where he could play, imagine, laugh, and enjoy being a kid. And as neighbors and members of the Alabama community, helping make that happen was an easy decision.
How the Build Came Together
On the day of the build, members of the Durante Home Exteriors team arrived ready to work. Employees volunteered their time and energy, joining forces with the Roc Solid Foundation crew to bring the project to life. What started as stacks of materials and pieces of equipment gradually transformed into something much more meaningful.
Throughout the day, volunteers worked side by side assembling the structure, securing components, and making sure every detail was ready for Maverick to enjoy. There was a shared sense of purpose among everyone involved. Every bolt tightened and every section completed represented another step toward creating something special for a child who deserved it.
The atmosphere was filled with teamwork and encouragement. While the physical work of building the playset was important, it was the spirit behind the effort that stood out most. People from different backgrounds came together with a common goal: helping one family experience a little more joy during a difficult season of life.
Johnathan Honeycutt, Director of Marketing at Durante Home Exteriors, reflected on what the day represented: "This was about so much more than building a playset. It was about giving Maverick a place to smile, to play, and to just be a kid, even in the middle of a fight no child should have to face."
His words captured what everyone involved felt. The finished playset was certainly a wonderful addition to the backyard, but the real purpose was creating moments that Maverick and his family could cherish together.
What Roc Solid Foundation Does for Families Fighting Pediatric Cancer
Roc Solid Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building hope for children and families navigating pediatric cancer. Through practical support and meaningful experiences, the organization helps families feel seen, encouraged, and cared for during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Their work centers around two primary programs:
Playset Builds: Volunteers come together to construct custom backyard playsets for children battling pediatric cancer. These spaces give kids a dedicated area to play, explore, and experience moments of joy throughout treatment.
Ready Bags: These thoughtfully packed bags contain supplies and comfort items for hospital stays. They help families feel supported from the moment they arrive and provide practical resources during an overwhelming time.
Both programs address something that medical treatment alone cannot fully provide: a sense of normalcy. They remind families that people outside hospital walls care about what they are experiencing. They create opportunities for comfort, connection, and hope during a journey that can often feel isolating.
For Durante Home Exteriors, partnering with Roc Solid Foundation felt like a natural fit. The organization's commitment to serving families aligns closely with our own belief that strong communities are built when neighbors show up for one another.
More Than 25 Years of Showing Up for the Communities We Serve
While our work with Maverick and his family was a recent and memorable project, it is far from the only way we have worked to support the communities we call home. Giving back has been an important part of who we are since the company was founded in 2001.
Over the years, members of the Durante Home Exteriors team have participated in a variety of charitable efforts, local initiatives, and community-focused projects throughout Alabama and Tennessee. We recognize that our success has always been tied to the trust and support of local homeowners, and we believe it is important to invest in the places where we live and work.
Community involvement is not something we view as a one-time event or an occasional responsibility. It is an ongoing commitment. Whether that means supporting local organizations, volunteering our time, or helping families facing difficult circumstances, we believe meaningful relationships are built through action.
As we celebrate 25 years in business, we remain committed to finding opportunities to make a positive impact. Projects like Maverick's playset serve as powerful reminders that even small acts of service can create lasting memories and meaningful change. At the end of the day, being a good neighbor means showing up when people need you, and that is a value we intend to carry forward for many years to come.
Learn More About Durante Home Exteriors
Our partnership with Roc Solid Foundation and our work for Maverick reflect the values that have guided Durante Home Exteriors for more than 25 years. We are proud of the homes we improve, but we are equally proud of the communities we serve.
If you would like to learn more about our company, our history, and the principles that continue to guide our team, we invite you to visit our about us page and discover what makes Durante Home Exteriors more than just a remodeling company.
