2015 NARI Chapter Community Service Award Winners

At the NARI Spring Business Meeting in April, five NARI chapters received Community Service Awards presented for remodeling work done on a charitable basis. Congratulations to the following:

Milwaukee/NARI Home Improvement Council

An accident left a Wisconsin man paralyzed from the waist down, unable to work thus facing physical and financial challenges. After water damage in his basement completely drained his resources, this Chapter’s Foundation decided to finance and do the work desperately needed on his home’s only bathroom. Features focused on accessibility and included a barrier-free shower stall with a handheld shower and a bath seat; a comfort-height toilet; a mounted vanity with wheelchair access; and a new, wider door. It was extremely rewarding for NARI members to enable this man regain some independence of his own life.

NARI of Madison Chapter

Each year, members of the NARI Madison Chapter participate in “Hammer with a Heart,” a program that provides free home repair and improvements to low-income homeowners with health, safety, and comfort concerns. This year was especially significant as the project completed its 100^th home and NARI was part of it. The chapter had 35 NARI volunteers and 40 member companies donate their time, labor, and materials to a single mom with four adopted children who each have a severe or terminal illness. NARI members remodeled a basement; replaced two rooms; rebuilt the front porch; remodeled three bathrooms and added an additional bathroom; painted rooms and installed gardens.

NYC/LI NARI Chapter

The NYC/LI NARI Chapter proudly participated in a project design of a local Ronald McDonald House that completely renovated the facility. The goal was to make the House more homelike, inviting and cheerful for the 1000 families that stay there each year. The first phase transformed 18 bedrooms, kitchen areas, laundry areas and several common areas. NARI’s team of volunteers spent hundreds of hours installing laminate flooring, painting rooms, and completing the molding and trim work. In the second phase, NARI volunteers helped with the addition of 24 bedrooms, four kitchens, five common areas, laundry rooms, a brand-new fitness center, and a meditation room.

Greater Omaha NARI

The Greater Omaha Chapter joined forces with its state’s Humane Society to provide a custom animal environment package for their Gala and auction to help a good cause as well as raise awareness of NARI. The NARI package went at auction for double the starting bid to the delight of the Humane Society, which netted a total of $1 million to help stray and abandoned animals. More than 12 members of this chapter volunteered their time, services and materials to help create a unique, outdoor cat house for the winner who provides care for stray cats in the winter.

NARI Greater Cleveland Chapter

The Greater Cleveland Chapter had three goals; brand its NARI Cares Program; launch a mentorship program with a vocational school; and participate in critical community projects. A logo, brochure, website and banner were created to brand the chapter’s charitable endeavors. Mentoring 34 high school students helped build marketable career skills and doghouses that were auctioned at the chapter’s Home Improvement Show, rising over $1,600 for the Animal Protective League. The chapter also participated in a cemetery roofing project donating time and materials; volunteered at Bike MS; and repaired and painted a social service agency’s building that serves local families.