November 2008 Builders Magazine Article
Industry Generosity Builds a New Life
The Builders Association Charity, compirsed of it's incredibly generous Board of Trustees, strives daily to assist struggling families in our community. For one single mom and her two young daughters, life became very different as a result of contacting the Builders Association Charity.
In late April, Executive Director Bobbie Merrigan was contacted about single mom, Marissa Butts. With her two young daughters in tow, and with only the clothes she could carry, Marissa rented a home in Carson City and began the task of enrolling her children in school and finding a job. With no vehicle and no financial support or family in the area, Marissa struggled to mke her new srroundings "home".
Answering the initial call for help without hesitation was BANN member Gary Guzelis, one of the Principals at Shaw Engineering. Having children himself, Gary immediately identified with Marissa. He generously donated and deliverd several pieces of fruniture for this family. Marissa was now the proud owner of a queen size bed, several dressers, end tables and toys for her girls.
The excitement of these new items was overwhelming for Marissa and her family. Her home was fastbecoming more comfortable for herself and her gilrs, and it began to emody the refuge all homes should be. In sharp contrast, she focused on her daily tasks. She rallied her girls out of bed each morning, caught the bus to her daughter's school and daycare, to the new office where she had found work, to the groucery store and to appointments with the pediatrician. Marissa worked to make the best of her situation, but soon it became apparent that transportation was becoming a major source of concern.
It was shortly thereafter that Jerry McGrath heard of Marissa's plight. Jerry, the Immediate Past President of the Charity's Board of Trustees and owner of Washoe Building Supply, enlisted the help of his son Zach. Zach and his wife Christy had contemplated selling their 1994 GMC Sierra pick-up. Instad, Zah and Christy chose to donate their vehicle to Marissa. The days of calculating bus fares and schedules would soon be behind her. As if initiating this was not enough, Jerry McGrath paid Marissa's vehicle registration and insurance for the first year and purchased her youngest daughter a booster seat for the vehicle.
"I think that it is finally sinking in that I am not in a drea." said Marissa. "I thank God for people like the McGrath's and for the helping hand I have been given. This is definitely the kindes, most warm-hearted thing anyone has ever done for me and my girls."
The Builders Association Charity is proud to be the organization representing the building industry and its members. It is the generosity of our members that are not only appreciated, but also echo this industry's capacity for giving back. (For additional information on the Builders Association Charity and its efforts at assisting those in need, or to learn how you can become involved in helping to achieve its goals, contact Bobbie Merrian, Executive Director, at 775-329-2424.)
BAC Helps Coordinate Marrow Donor Drive
July 26, 2008 will be a day the friends and family of Eric Trowbridge will never forget. That Saturday, friends, family and strangers alike cam together for one purpose - a marrow drive in honor of Eric. Eric is an honor student at Galena High School and is well on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. On June 23, 2008, one week exactly after his 15th birthday, Eric was diagnosed with a condition known as myelodysplastic syndrome, or MDS, with an additional factor called monosomy 7. MDS is a condition where the bone marrow does not make enough normal blood cells for the body. In Eric's case, all three types of blood cells (red, white, and platelets) are extremely low.
Eric is the son of George & Marcheta Trowbridge, whos also have another fine sone, Austin, who has been very supportive of the quest to help Eric regain good health.
George's architectural firm has been involved with BANN and the construction industry with BANN and in fact has been the recipient of numerous BANN-ER Awards.
Over 900 individuals, many representing the building industry, volunteered to be tested as a potential donor and have now been added to the National Bone Marrow Registry. In addition to this drive, companies such as Sierra Pacific Power, Nevada Power and Western Nevada Supply hosted internal testing for their employees.
We are thrilled and excited to announce that a donor has been found for Eric! While there are no details as to who the donor will be, it is our understanding that two donors matching all ten "markers" have agreed to donate life -saving marrow to Eric. He and his family will be traveling to the transplant center in Oakland, California at the end of August, with a marrow transplant scheduled for early September.
Donations for Eric and the Trowbridge family can be made to the Eric
Trowbridge Transplant Fund at any Heritage Bank or in his name to the Builders Association Charity, 5484 Reno Corporate Dr, Suite 200, Reno, NV 89511. Donations to this fund are tax deductible. For thoe of you who have given, financially, emotionally or physically, we thank you. It is events like this that echo this community's capacity to give back!
