At RD Weis our vision encompasses not only the needs
of our clients but also those of our community-at-large. We’re
keenly aware that billions of pounds of carpet are discarded every
year. And much of it not because it’s worn out but because
a facility is undergoing remodeling.
When this happens and the client’s carpet is still in relatively
good condition, RD Weis arranges for the carpet to be cleaned and
refurbished, and then donates it to Habitat for Humanity. This nonprofit,
ecumenical Christian housing organization has hundreds of affiliates
nationwide and, with donation of labor, funds and materials, builds
and renovates simple, decent housing with the help of the homeowner
families.
RD Weis employees and various suppliers have also rolled up their
sleeves and pitched in to help in the construction of new homes
for the Hartford and Yonkers Area Habitat for Humanity affiliates.
In addition to physical labor at the construction sites, the RD
Weis team has donated carpet tiles, baseboard and installation services
for these items for the Hartford Area offices.
Three members of the RD Weis staff—Rich Vellinga, Mike Pendergast
and Bob Moody—volunteered to participate in clean-up efforts
in the New Orleans vicinity this past Spring. The following is an
email account of their first two days "on the job," as
written by Rich Vellinga.
Randy,
We arrived in New Orleans on Sunday around
11:00 AM. The drive down was not too bad—just long. We had
expected to hit some heavy rain but it hit New Orleans instead.
When we arrived we truly were overwhelmed by the amount of devastation.
In the town of Chalmette, there are probably little more than a
dozen businesses up and running and half of them are operating out
of trailers. At the camp the rain that we missed had caused flooding
in about half the camp. In addition, it had knocked out some power
and blown down some tents. Nobody there had gotten any sleep the
night before but they were still friendly. They checked us in the
best they could and by 2:00 we were free to relax.
Our first full day there we headed out
for the job sights on school buses at 8:15. Arriving at the work
site we were once again just amazed. There were three to five inches
of mud mixed with debris everywhere. You could see water lines halfway
up the roof. And looking down the street all you saw was debris.
Piles and piles of it.
We started working. We soon got a surprise
when a rat ran out of some sheetrock Mike was pulling down. After
that, everything went smoothly. We just kept hauling mud and debris
out. By 3:00, we were all exhausted and glad to return to camp.
The bus driver (a Chalmette native) took us on a brief tour of some
of the worst areas. I’ve included a couple of pictures.
We are very happy to be doing this as
it is truly rewarding.
Subsequent to 9/11/2001, Randy Weis donated carpet to small businesses
that had sustained damage to their property in the vicinity of the
Twin Towers. Shortly thereafter, Randy learned about a charitable
organization, called the Pajama Program, that provides pajamas and
books to needy children in the United States and around the world,
many of whom are waiting and hoping to be adopted. He donated one
of the RD Weis company vans, and continues to be active in the organization’s
efforts.
After the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, RD Weis teamed up with
the Pajama Program to collect and transport children’s pajamas,
books and sandals. At regular intervals over the following two months,
RD Weis dispatched one of its trucks and staff volunteers to deliver
15,000 pairs of pajamas to the Houston Astrodome and Gulf Coast
shelters.
Most recently, with the full support of his staff, Randy allocated
funds traditionally used to cover the expense of a company holiday
party to underwriting the cost of a holiday party at a local orphanage.
RD Weis employees were welcome to attend and many did, further donating
gifts of new toys and clothing to the children.
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