Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Builders Make a Difference
January 18, 2021
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A national day of service, we’re reflecting on all the ways BIAW members give back to their communities all year round.
As we celebrate Dr. King’s legacy, we remember his famous quote, “Everyone can be great because anybody can serve.”
Here are just a few ways BIAW members have helped make the world a better place recently:
Building Industry Association of Clark County’s Acc-U-Set Construction recently helped set Evergreen Habitat for Humanity’s newest home on its foundation. Watch the video here.
And last year, retired Army Staff Sgt. Rico Roman moved into his new fully accessible home, thanks to the 23 BIACC members who helped the Gary Sinise Foundation build it. The Today Show spotlighted the project on Veteran’s Day 2020!
Honoring all COVID safety protocols, Kitsap Building Association modified its annual Build a Better Christmas event this year with gifts delivered to the office and no in-person social and gift wrapping party. Despite it all, the group still served 17 local families living in shelters or transitional homes!
San Juan Building Association held a Gingerbread House Contest with a $500 first prize to bring cheer to its island community this year. The sweet little homes were displayed in a vacant storefront to allow socially distanced viewing and voting!
Central Washington Home Builders’ Lake Interiors recently donated nearly $1,000 to fight breast cancer locally and DTG Recycle provides free recycling to Yakima residents lacking curbside service. Many of its members are active in their local Rotary group, giving back all year long.
The Olympia Master Builders Foundation supports students in the construction trades with scholarships and the “Tools for School” program to help schools purchase tools for their classrooms. This year, OMB’s Professional Women in Building group raised money to support the local United Way Shelter Shower, providing much-needed items to the area’s two local homeless shelters for families.
Along with its scholarship program and other community support, the Master Builders Association of Pierce County launched its “MBA Meals for Medical Workers” to help support frontline healthcare professionals in a time of need this summer, providing 250 meals in six deliveries to Multicare Tacoma General Hospital.
The Master Buildings of King and Snohomish Counties holds an annual Rampathon to build wheelchair access ramps, supports Painting a Better Tomorrow and much more. This year, its Professional Women in Building donated more than $1,000 of items to the Jubilee Women’s Center.
The Building Industry Association of Whatcom County’s White Hat Committee has built more than 20 wheelchair ramps for homeowners in need, donating all the time and materials.
The Lower Columbia Contractors Association awards thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants to local students pursuing careers in the building industry.
The Skagit/Island Counties Builders Association supports its community in a variety of ways, including its Playhouse Challenge, where teams of builders craft play houses to be donated to local charities to raffle off to raise funds at its annual Home & Garden Show.
The Spokane Home Builders Association staff and members participated in the Habitat for Humanity’s Blitz Build 2020.
The North Peninsula Building Association recently joined with others to bring Jamie McMillan, journeyman ironworker/boilermaker and founder of KickAss Careers, to Peninsula students in a webinar to inspire youth to consider careers in skilled trades.
In December 2020, Randy Welle and Peet Duffy of Blue Heron Construction, a member of the Jefferson County Home Builders Association, joined other local volunteers in finishing 12 tiny homes to house individuals in their community in need.
The Building Industry Association of Washington provides thousands of dollars in scholarships and grants each year—including a record-high of $40,000 in 2020.
This is just a snapshot of our members’ community involvement, but it’s inspiring just the same! What will you do to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his legacy on National Day of Service?