WHAT:

The roof on the new Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station in Valdosta, Georgia is now complete thanks to the support of one of Lowndes County’s newest residents - GAF.

The roof marks a key milestone in the construction of this new facility, an expansion of the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts, which will serve as a regional hub for art, science, technology, engineering, and math programming for local youth. GAF, North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer, recently announced the donation during a ribbon-cutting for the GAF-Valdosta thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) commercial roofing plant, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities.The new roofing system, which was installed by GAF-certified contractor Richter Contracting, ensures the Imagination Station remains a safe, state-of-the-art environment for children and families for years to come. 

"The support from GAF has been tremendous. The new Meta Shaw Coleman Children’s Imagination Station being protected by a GAF roof will serve as a constant reminder of their  commitment to the youth of Valdosta," said Executive Director Sementha Mathews, Ph.D. "We look forward to seeing young minds continue to grow and thrive in this inspiring new space."

This project is part of GAF’s social impact initiative, GAF Community Matters, which is focused on making a positive difference as neighbors and partners in the community by leveraging roofing expertise, resources and products to help build resilient communities. Since 2022, GAF-Valdosta has actively supported local nonprofits, including Habitat for Humanity of Valdosta, Second Harvest of South Georgia, and the Greater Valdosta United Way, through donations and volunteerism. GAF’s community involvement also extends to critical disaster relief, providing materials and direct aid after events like Hurricane Idalia. 

“We’re proud to do our part to help protect a space that will serve as a resource for generations of local children and families in Lowndes County,” said Daniel Duston, GAF-Valdosta Plant Manager. “Supporting projects like this is central to our commitment as both neighbors and partners in this community."

GAF’s 425,000 sq. ft facility has been fully up and running since September 2024, and has brought more than 130 advanced manufacturing, logistics, and engineering jobs to Lowndes County, Georgia. The Valdosta plant is GAF’s fifth TPO facility and adds to the company’s existing Georgia operations in Savannah, Statesboro, and Cumming.