Tile industry leaders collaborate in philanthropic effort
Casa de Amparo is a leader in the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect, serving San Diego County since 1978. On June 8, 2012, the 501 (c)(3) nonprofit celebrated the Grand Opening of its new Casa Kids Campus in San Marcos, CA. Children from Casa de Amparo’s Residential Services program moved from aging facilities in Oceanside to three bright new homelike cottages on the new 11.4 acre campus. Residential Services provides therapeutic 24/7 residential care to children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
In the course of construction, Casa de Amparo identified many needs where there was a possibility of in-kind donations to offset construction costs. Casa de Amparo is working diligently to make the campus debt-free so more resources can be devoted to programs and services needed to help more children and families and meet evolving needs. Donna Greenbush, Casa de Amparo Marketing Manager, who formerly worked for Oceanside Glasstile approached Johnny Marckx, Oceanside Glasstile Executive Vice President, for possible support from the tile industry.
Touched by the cause and impressed with the campus plan and Casa de Amparo’s work in the community, Marckx led a coordinated philanthropic effort, calling upon tile colleagues at Dal-Tile, Custom Building Products (CBP) and Quarry Collection. Custom Building Products donated over 8,000 square feet of WonderBoard and grout for tile installation throughout the campus. Quarry Collection donated stone for step facings. “CBP management didn’t hesitate for a second in approving the donation,” said Will White, Technical Services Training Manager at CBP. “We were happy for the opportunity to provide support to those who are in need and in this case are most worthy.”
Oceanside Glasstile donated glass mosaic and ceramic accents from their "Mandala" product line to add warmth and design touches to the bathrooms of all cottages. Dal-Tile provided quality ceramic tile for the floors and walls. “An attractive homelike environment helps children heal,” said Sharon Delphenich, Casa de Amparo Executive Director. “We wanted to avoid an institutionalized look in the cottages. Oceanside Glasstile and Dal-Tile’s beautiful tile transformed the baths from basic to beautiful.”
Oceanside Glasstile also donated material for a striking 9- x 15-foot glass tile gradient wall in the entry of the main building, the Children’s Services Center, that houses administrative offices, classrooms, counseling, and medical offices. The gradient wall will showcase plaques identifying the many supporters whose donations made the new campus a reality. Oceanside Glasstile Sr. Technical Services Representative Brian Fitzgerald drew together a team of OGT volunteers who donated their services to install the wall.
“We believe in giving back to the community and making it a better place to live,” said Marckx who heads the company’s philanthropic program. All employees are encouraged to volunteer 24 hours each year. The company matches volunteer hours with paid time off.
Construction of The Casa Kids Campus complies with LEED guidelines. “LEED certification will create a sustainable environment that is both optimal for health and reduces future operating costs so we can instead focus on the most important priority -- the healing of those affected by child abuse and neglect,” said Delphenich.
For more information, see www.casadeamparo.org.
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