Making a Difference

When DLS Alumnus Evan Vaillancourt, Class of 2019,  passed away suddenly in November 2022, his death impacted Bill Burkhardt Jr., Class of 2003. 

Burkhardt worked at De La Salle from 2008-18 as the Director of Admissions, and not only recruited Evan to attend the school, but  he is also a friend of Evan’s mother, Andrea, who was the  Administrative Assistant in the Admissions Office for several years. 

Although Bill left DLS to join Kanga-Roof, his family’s business, he has remained connected to DLS in numerous ways. He is a member of the Pilot Business Association and recently joined the Finance Committee of the DLS Board of Trustees. 

But perhaps his most impactful activity has been establishing the Evan Vaillancourt Scholarship Fund, an endowed scholarship in Vaillancourt’s memory to help children from military families attend De La Salle. Vailancourt was a U.S. Army Specialist. 

Burkhardt made a commitment of $250,000 to establish an endowment fund, funded with an initial donation of $50,000 in 2023. 

In 2024, he created the Fore-A-Cause Classic, and raised $30,000; the 2025 classic raised $38,000 and had over 100 golfers The event was held at the Oak Ridge Golf Course in New Haven, in late September 2025. 

At Kanga Roof, Burkhardt is the VP of Marketing and an owner/partner. His brother, Matthew, Class of 2005, is the VP of Commercial Operations, and Brian Neaton, Class of 2007, is the firm’s COO. 

One of Vaillancourt’s brothers, Mason, is also a member of the Kanga Roof team; another brother, Joshua, graduated with the DLS Class of 2017. 

While Kanga Roof has always engaged in numerous charitable events, including the Relay for Life, Toys for Tots, and the Macomb County Food Bank, two years ago the team made a decision to commit to one major impactful event. 

They continue to support various youth groups and charities with their golf outings and events, such as Regina High School, the Archdiocese of Detroit, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.