FCIF Seeks Additional Contributions
DALTON, GA.—The Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF) is running its ‘Helping My Fellow Man’ campaign this fall with hopes to raise additional funds for families in the floor covering industry who are experiencing life altering illnesses, catastrophic injuries, and other severe medical disabilities. In the past year, the organization has doubled its grants to families, and it is seeking an additional $150,000 to help reach their goal of $600,000 for 2018.
Companies who make a pledge at the $500 and above level by October 31 will be recognized in Floor Trends, along with other media, in fourth quarter publications.
Additional giving levels are as follows:
- $1,000 – Genesis
- $2,000 – Bronze
- $5,000 – Silver
- $10,000 – Gold
- $25,000 – Platinum
- $50,000 – Diamond
Retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and associations are all invited to participate in the Helping My Fellow Man campaign. FCIF is funded by the industry to help current flooring employees and retirees. Grants are awarded based on need for expenses such as medical care, medications, medical supplies, and other necessities as food, shelter, and utilities. Giving options include:
- Mail your donation to 855 Abutment Road #2, Dalton, GA 30721
- Give online at fcif.org
- Contact Andrea Blackbourn, executive director, at 706.217.1183 x105 or ablackbourn@fcif.org and she can email or mail you a pledge card.
Founded in 1981 by industry leaders such as Larry Nagle, Bob Shaw, Harry Saul, Walter Guinan, and Al Wahnon, the organization is now headquartered in Dalton, Ga. The Foundation board of directors is comprised of leaders across the country. Howard Brodsky of CCA Global Partners, serves as the chairman of the board and Larry Nagle of N.L. Nagle, Inc., is the current vice-chair. Keith Campbell of Mannington Mills serves as treasurer and Tim Baucom from Shaw Industries serves a corporate secretary.
Your gift will help families all over the country who have unexpected medical battles. Behind every grant is a story of crisis and perseverance—of a real person struggling through a difficult time.
Meet James. At age 48, James Marx, a single father of two teenage girls, had a severe heart attack that left him in the hospital for days and scrambling to make ends meet. Overnight he accumulated $13,000 in medical bills, even with a discount from the hospital. Marx is a veteran of the flooring industry, where he has dedicated 26 years of service. Currently employed at The Rug Market in Rochester, N.Y., he was thankful that the owner told him about FCIF. He received a medical grant that helped him over this unexpected obstacle. “The grant has truly taken the burden off my financial situation,” Marx said. “I can afford to get health insurance and pay off medical bills. I am so grateful.” Now he is back doing the work he loves and providing for his daughters.
Join the cause and give today! Visit fcif.org to make a pledge and help your fellow man.
Halstead/Metroflor Launches Nonprofit to Combat Substance Abuse
CALHOUN, GA.—Halstead/Metroflor created an addiction crisis team and a nonprofit organization to raise funds for combating addiction. The goal is to provide rehabilitation scholarships to families who otherwise would not be financially able to support their loved ones suffering from Substance Addiction Disorders (SADs).
The Halstead/Metroflor Addiction Crisis (HMAC) Team intends to raise $500,000 over the next two years through a “Save an Addict. Save a Family” GoFundMe page and other activities, which will be matched dollar for dollar by Metroflor/Halstead for a total goal of $1 million. The HMAC Team is also committed to tearing down misconceptions about addiction through education.
“We have turned our efforts to this cause because it not only affects the individual suffering from SADs, it ultimately can tear apart the entire family,” said Paul Eanes, vice president of business development, Metroflor.
Eanes knows from personal experience the destructive results of addiction to families. “One of my daughters became an alcoholic two years ago,” Eanes added. “Fortunately, we were financially able to send her to seven months of rehab, and she is on the road to recovery. However, the wounds that the entire family suffered from are still there, and every day is a slow step in the right direction.”
In partnership with The Blanchard Institute, Halstead/Metroflor is committed to raising $1 million in donations through a 501c3 partnership with “Faith in Four: Recovery, Prevention, Education and Treatment.” Contributions will fund scholarships to rehabilitation facilities for those in need who cannot otherwise afford treatment, to the following organizations: The Blanchard Institute (Charlotte, N.C.); Damascus Road Recovery (Covington, Ga.); Genesis Ministries (Kennesaw, Ga.); and Hope House (Port Jefferson, N.Y.).
“Given that the typical insurance deductible cost to families for addiction rehabilitation is $8,000, the HMAC team hopes to reach the goal of $1 million to provide scholarships for 125 families. In theory that could save 125 lives and 125 families,” Eanes said.
To support this cause, visit Halstead/Metroflor’s “Save an Addict. Save a Family” GoFundMe page or visit www.metroflorusa.com.
MSI Doubles Inventory with Expansion of Phoenix Showroom and Distribution Center
PHOENIX, ARIZ.—MSI opened a new 187,000 sq. ft. showroom and distribution center that will feature double the inventory to better serve the Phoenix market and the entire state of Arizona.
“The demand for our products in this region is particularly strong,” said Raj Shah, president of MSI. “By expanding and upgrading the Phoenix showroom and distribution center, we’re offering customers better service and an even greater variety of on-trend surfaces—such as our new Everlife Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) Collection. We’re getting phenomenal feedback about the Phoenix location and we’ll be opening more upgraded and brand-new facilities in the coming months.”
Designed with the customer experience in mind, the updated showroom boasts a spacious layout, comfortable seating and meeting areas, and throughout the space are numerous displays and creative vignettes which allow visitors to get hands-on with MSI’s products.
For more information, visit msisurfaces.com.
ASG Opens 21st Showroom and Slab Gallery
AUSTIN, TEXAS— Architectural Surfaces Group has opened its 21st showroom and slab gallery in Austin, Texas.
Operating as Architectural Granite and Marble, an importer and distributor of natural stone, engineered stone, and related products, the new location’s strategic position will serve the growing markets north of the city and provide another option for customers in addition to the existing Hill Country-Spicewood branch to the west.
According to the company, the new Austin branch will offer buyers a sleek, modern showroom designed to inspire. It features on-trend kitchen and bath installations throughout, while the indoor stone slab gallery features a large inventory of natural stone, MetroQuartz, and PentalTek, ready for hand selection.
For more information, visit agmgranite.com.
Nox Gears Up U.S. Manufacturing
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA—Leading Asian LVT manufacturer Nox Corp. will significantly increase output at its resilient plant in Fostoria, Ohio, starting in fourth quarter 2018, as it brings online new manufacturing capabilities for MCT EIR product in November and December and its Genesis hybrid product in January 2019.
“We are essentially going to over double our capacity of our plant,” said Joe Walker, vice president sales, Nox North America. “We are adding more shifts with more lines and more sales and customer service support.
Walker said Genesis combines the benefits of lighter weight waterproof polymer core with the durability and dent resistance of stone polymer core products.
“The category continues to grow as innovation catapults it forward,” Walker said. “These rigid core products bridge multiple channels. Genesis goes to the DIY consumer, the lower end of wood for builder and multifamily, gets you into Main Street and specified commercial. Every innovation has taken away the limitations other products may have.”
For more information, visit noxprime.com.
