Leaders of the flooring community gathered on October 5, 2024, for Gala in Gotham, a fundraiser for the Floor Covering Industry Foundation, which raised over $300,000.
Proceeds of the black-tie event support the mission of FCIF to help families get back on their feet when battling catastrophic injuries, severe disabilities, or other life-altering medical crises. Founded in 1981 by industry leaders, the 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit helps those who have worked in the floor covering industry by providing direct grants for medical care and other basic needs.
Addressing gala guests, Charlie Dilks of CCA Global Partners and chairman of the Board of FCIF said that 98% of the grant applications FCIF receives come from Northwest Georgia, but it's becoming increasingly common to receive grants from across the country.
"They're a salesperson in St. Louis, an administrative person in Philadelphia, and that really means so much to the foundation," Dilks said. "Because of all of you, whether it's putting up a poster in your lunch room, talking to your HR department and making them aware of the work that the foundation does, there are more and more people that are coming forward in different geographies in particular, and looking for help from the foundation. The foundation is in a position financially that they're able to do that. So thank you for spreading the word."
This year's event honored three leaders whose contributions have made a lasting impact on the flooring industry: Sy Cohen, chairman and founder of Stanton Carpet; Dan Frierson, chairman and CEO of The Dixie Group; and Roger Marcus, chairman and CEO of American Biltrite.
"We're one of the few top industries that actually tries to take care of its own," Frierson said. "I also think we work in one of the few really people-oriented industries and that's where we're celebrating today. In addition to that, I am convinced we're at the beginning of a cyclical upturn in growth that we're all enjoy in the next couple of years."
"This industry is great," Marcus said. "FCIF is a terrific organization and I thank everyone in this or who had any involvement in making FCIF a success."
"The true measure of a man's success is this family, and, wow, have I been blessed," Cohen said. "One of the things you learn as life goes on—it's less about what you do and much more about who you do it with. Thank you for this honor. I wish you all good health and happiness."
