As the new school year gets back in session, volunteers from local construction firm McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com) joined with Bayless School District representatives, parents and students to celebrate the installation of a brand new playground for the students of Bayless Intermediate School in South St. Louis. Total cost for the project was approximately $30,000. The children and teachers themselves raised $7,000 over the last three years trying to obtain new playground equipment. McCarthy volunteers, through the company’s Heart Hats community outreach program, with assistance from Collins and Hermann Inc. and Metro Materials, donated approximately $25,000 and all labor necessary to complete the project.

“In these economic times, it is harder than ever to fund necessary school improvements to ensure our students have a well-rounded experience,” commented Kim Stallons, principal of Bayless Intermediate School. “We have all heard the pleas for school supplies and backpacks, but educators also know that providing students with a safe environment to expend extra energy is just as important for overall success. When numerous grant requests and a call into Oprah didn’t pan out, we knew we would have to find a different way. Community partners like McCarthy are critical to making projects like this one happen across our region.”

Prior to this new construction, the 450 students enrolled at Bayless Intermediate School shared five swings from the 1960s, one tetherball pole and a few beat up nerf footballs. McCarthy’s work included:  installation of new commercial playground equipment and swings, 21 tons of shock-absorbing rubber play area surfacing; and 290 lineal feet of play area surfacing containment. In addition, volunteers will complete maintenance of existing facilities including demolition of outdated equipment, play field re-seeding, painting of existing basketball goals/tether ball poles and soccer goal net installation.

“As a St. Louis builder, making a difference for the children here at home is a top priority,” explained McCarthy Central Division President Scott Wittkop. “I know I speak for all McCarthy employees when I express the joy we feel being able to put our skills to task to help make an impact. We hope the children of Bayless will be able to let loose and ‘be kids’ in a safe environment for years to come.”

About Bayless Intermediate School
Bayless Intermediate School is a school for children in grades 3–6 in St. Louis County.  With approximately 450 students enrolled representing 18 countries, Bayless is one of the poorest school districts in the County. Over 64% of the students receive either free or reduced lunches and 45% of the students speak English as a second language. More information is available on line at www.baylessk12.org.

About McCarthy Heart Hats|
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. With national headquarters in St. Louis, the company has additional offices in Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.  More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. (www.mccarthy.com), the largest builder in St. Louis, recently hosted its 14th Annual Architect/Engineer Charity Softball Tournament.  Under the McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program, all proceeds from the event are donated to a St. Louis charity of the tournament winner’s choosing.  In these challenging economic times, these dollars are more needed than ever. Since its inception, the event has generated more than $75,000 for area charities.

This year, the co-ed tournament held at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex attracted participants from 14 local architectural and engineering firms. The team of Oates Associates captured first place, donating their winnings of $3,500 to the SIUE Foundation.  The second place team of Jacobs Engineering elected to donate the $1,500 prize to the United Way. In addition to the softball competition, a grilling competition rounded out the event with 11 grilling teams competing for the Master Griller title. This prize ultimately went to Ross & Baruzzini who elected to split their $1,500 between the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Association.

For 14 years, the Architect/Engineer Charity Softball Tournament has generated much needed funds for St. Louis community organizations. In 2009, the combined team of Simms Building Group, Inc. and Trivers Associates celebrated as tournament champion, donating winnings to two local charities, Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center and the Salvation Army. Other past recipient organizations have included:  Kids in the Middle, Camp Wartburg, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ranken Jordan, Loyola Academy of St. Louis, St. Patrick Center, Downtown YMCA, St. Louis Shriners Hospital, Alzheimer Association, Studio STL, Life Skills, and Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“When we started this event more than a decade ago, we saw it as a fun way to bring the local building professionals together to help make a difference in our community,” said Scott Wittkop, president of McCarthy’s Central Division.  “It is an inspiration to see the impact the tournament continues to have on those participating and the organizations it assists, especially in today’s challenging economic times.”

In addition to McCarthy, the teams participating in this year’s softball tournament represented the following companies:  Burns & McDonnell, Cannon Design, CH2M-Hill, EDM Inc., Horner & Shifrin, HOK, Jacobs Engineering, KPFF, Lawrence Group, McClure Engineering, Oates Associates, PGAV, and Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.

The teams competing in the grilling competition were:  Coreslab Structures, Indox, Industrial Sheet Metal Erectors, Johnny on the Spot, Kirchner Block, Midwest Machinery, Missouri Terrazzo, Negwer Door Systems, Rock Hill Mechanical, Ross & Baruzzini, Inc., and TJ Wies.

About McCarthy Heart Hats
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. With national headquarters in St. Louis, the company has additional offices in Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.  More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., (www.mccarthy.com), Orange County’s largest construction firm, along with 33 subcontractors and suppliers, recently completed construction of a new 25,000-square-foot athletic facility for GOALS (Growth Opportunities through Athletics, Learning and Service) youth program.  Called “The GOALS Dreamscape,” the athletic facility is located in north central Anaheim adjacent to GOALS existing headquarters on La Palma Parkway. McCarthy has been involved with GOALS for over 14 years since the firm donated labor and rallied subcontractor support for the construction of the Disney GOALS Roller Hockey Skating Rink and headquarters facility in Anaheim. 

“Almost half-a-million dollars of in-kind technical services, labor, equipment and building materials were contributed in order to bring this new venue from a dream to a reality,” said GOALS Executive Director Dave Wilk.  “The outpouring of generosity combined with the quality of construction especially in these tough economic times has been an amazing experience for our staff, volunteers, and of course, the children.”

Donated entirely by local businesses and the city of Anaheim who provided the land along with support and guidance from the United States Tennis Association and Southern California Tennis Association, the athletic facility features two full-size, lit tennis courts; a 6,000-square-foot artificial turf arena for multiple sports; 100 meter warm-up walking/jogging track surrounding arena; 440 meter circumferential walking/jogging fitness track; a fruit and vegetable “GOALS Garden” which will be planted and tended by GOALS children; an adjoining indoor work-out center for aerobic and anaerobic fitness and a 1,500-square-foot “mini court” for additional sports play.  Like all of the GOALS not for profit efforts, all program activities, equipment, uniforms, transportation access and coaching at The GOALS Dreamscape will be made available free to the low income youth participating.

“The project began in 2008 when the City of Anaheim agreed to give GOALS the chance to attract development support for a vacant parcel of nearby land,” explained Wilk. GOALS board member Tom Tait from Tait and Associates provided more than $65,000 of engineering and architectural support to propel the project. McCarthy donated more than $120,000 to the project and formed the subcontracting team that provided another $150,000 in goods and services. The team went on to complete the facility within eight months. The U.S. Tennis Association worked with AmeriCorps Vista volunteers to create the design of the tennis courts.

“This project represents a tremendous example of coordination and partnership between the private, public and not-for-profit sectors,” commented Tom Tait.  “The GOALS program was conceived with one act of kindness by Disneyland over 17 years ago, and this initial benevolence has become contagious among the GOALS staff and volunteers as well as through the longtime support of companies like McCarthy and the subcontractors who have helped make this project a reality.”

The project’s contributors, dubbed “The Dream Team” by GOALS, included: McCarthy Building Companies, The City of Anaheim, Tait & Associates, United States Tennis Association, Southern California Tennis Association, SOCALGEO Soil Engineering, The Murray Company, Ahern, J.B. Lumber, Anaheim Disposal, Bapko, Berg Electric, Premiere Engineering, United Rentals, Nolan’s Equipment Rentals, Crown Fence, Conco Pumping, Cal Portland, GPS Painting, J&M, CEMEX, Catalina Pacific/Cal Portland, Rebar Engineering, Western Paving, White Cap, Shaw & Sons, Athletica, Preferred Paving, H&E Rentals, NJP Sports, Zaino Tennis Courts, PlexiPave, LA Steelcraft, Precision Surfacing, Schmitz Foam Products, DOMO Turf and FlexSand.

The GOALS Dreamscape project was completed in part by McCarthy Heart Hats, a volunteer community outreach group led by the employees of McCarthy Building Companies.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community involvement program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  McCarthy Vice President, Operations Tracy MacDonald; MIS Engineer Ray LaTour; Project Superintendent Ray Stiffler and Engineer Aaron Rosenhaus led The GOALS Dreamscape project for McCarthy and several other McCarthy employees donated labor and technical services for the project.

About GOALS:
GOALS, headquartered in Anaheim, Calif. is a long-standing not for profit program that involves thousands of low-income youth annually through a combination of athletics, afterschool educational enrichment and community service where its youngsters help others. More than 15,000 youth have participated in GOALS’ programs since 1994 when it was started by Walt Disney Co. The organization’s services are concentrated in Anaheim, but some programs are also available in the City of Placentia and San Diego. GOALS headquarters and other major facilities are concentrated in a ¼ mile complex known as the GOALS “Youth Opportunity Zone” (YOZ). Within this area lie GOALS Anaheim ICE arena, the GOALS Gardens indoor arena (primarily used for roller hockey), facility headquarters and the “Dreamscape” project.  Disney GOALS links its neighborhood outreach to the YOZ through a “GOALSFleet” of busses owned by the organization that transport hundreds of youngsters to and from their communities so they can access the free equipment, coaching and facilities operated by GOALS.

About McCarthy
McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the nation’s oldest and largest construction firms. In addition to Newport Beach, McCarthy has offices in San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Dallas; St. Louis and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.

Matt, Elissa and Hailey Horan in front of their home that volunteers from McCarthy Building Companies and 22 local subcontractors renovated after learning the family needed their assistance.Long time Los Alamitos residents, Elissa and Matt Horan have experienced a great deal of hardship over the last few years. Matt was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease three years ago and Elissa was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. She recently completed 12 months of chemotherapy and is now undergoing radiation treatment to fight the cancer. Matt and Elissa have four children—Vanessa, Carrie and Dylan are over 17 years old and Hailey is just 2 years old. Both Carrie and Hailey live with Matt and Elissa.

“The Heart Hats learned about the Horan family from Yvonne Hernandez, the owner of Helping Hands Cleaning, who participates in Cleaning for a Reason (http://www.cleaningforareason.org), a non-profit cleaning service providing free professional housecleaning, and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer,” said McCarthy project secretary Mary Jo VanAlstine. “After hearing about the plight of the Horan family and visiting them, we knew we had to offer some immediate assistance.”  Horan home team leaders Mary Jo, McCarthy secretary Dana Greaney and office manager/director of community services Linda Osborn along with project superintendent Steve Proffitt began soliciting McCarthy volunteers and donations of labor and supplies from their business partners. Within just three weeks, the Heart Hats had obtained over $1,700 in cash donations and enough labor and supplies to provide a significant home makeover. “When Mary Jo told me about the plans for our home and what she was about to launch, I was flabbergasted and just cried,”  said Elissa Horan. I thought, things like this don’t seem to happen, but still my prayers were answered. To this day, it is still unbelievable.”  Between February 15 and February 26, approximately 30 volunteers worked into the night to finish the home remodel. Some of the Horan’s neighbors even pitched in.

The project included: a new roof courtesy of Letner Roofing; electrical work by Berg Electric with light fixtures and labor by Briggs Electric; plumbing repairs and installation of new fixtures by Pan Pacific Plumbing; exterior paint by Koller Coatings and new windows for the master bedroom and front bath by Tower Glass. Tammie Smith provided interior design services and donations including tile for the shower and kitchen, furniture and funds for the family. Other interior renovations entailed: paint by RM Hasson, carpet and vinyl flooring from Progressive Flooring; closet and interior doors by REW, Inc.; tile installation from McCandless Tile; demolition of cabinets and flooring by Nuprecon; installation of the drywall by PCI Contracting as well as the installation of a granite sink/vanity for the main bathroom by McCarthy superintendents.

The team also cleaned the yard and conducted other landscape repairs.Elissa and Hailey Horan along with and Carrie Hirn-Horan in their kitchen that was just remodeled with donations of supplies, appliances and labor by volunteers from PCI, McCarthy Building Companies and interior designer Tammie Smith.

Additional donations included: a new Kenmore oven range from RW Smith; furniture and funds from volunteer Peggy Schlemmer and Chartreuse Home Furnishing; appliances and funds for a new children’s bedroom set, kitchen cabinets and the bathroom vanity from McCarthy employees; a new garage door from PJHM Architects, UCMI Inspection and GSO Overnite; mobile mini storage from Day Construction; lumber from JB Lumber; concrete for exterior landscape from J&M; a dumpster from Southern California Environment; lodging for the family from Ayres Hotel and cash donations from AO Reed, GSO Premiere, Martin Integrated and Seeley Bros.

“We were overwhelmed and grateful to the support received from the subcontracting community and suppliers within our short timeline,” said Mary Jo. “Elissa and Matt are such wonderful people. Even through all of their hardships, they are still joyful and optimistic. We hope our efforts help to ease some of the day-to-day burden for Elissa and Matt. Seeing the smile on little Hailey’s face when she went into her new pink Dora themed room definitely touched my heart.” Upon completion of the project, Elissa, Matt and Hailey explained what the remodel will do for their family and expressed their gratitude to the volunteers. “It’s like living in a new house,” said Elissa. “The plumbing and everything works.  I love my new kitchen and being able to take a shower in my master bath is incredible. The whole remodel is amazing, and I’m sure my healing process will go better now.”

Two year old Hailey Horan enjoys her new bedroom set and bright pink room that was remodeled by volunteers from McCarthy Building Companies and local subcontractors.

About McCarthy Heart Hats
The McCarthy “Heart Hats” community involvement program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. In addition to recognizing outstanding employee volunteers and providing a company-wide paid volunteer day, McCarthy “Heart Hats” donates countless hours of in-kind services and monetary contributions to improve communities each year. Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the nation’s largest construction firms. In addition to Newport Beach, McCarthy has offices in San Diego, Sacramento and San Francisco, Calif.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Dallas; St. Louis and Atlanta. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.  More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.

When the McCarthy learned of the need for repainting of the facility’s dormitories, employees jumped at the opportunity to provide the manpower required to paint the interior dorm area and secured donated paint and materials.

“The number of mentally challenged homeless continues to grow in Southern Nevada,” said McCarthy Heart Hats member Josh Brummels. “The Salvation Army’s Pathways program is one of the largest group facilities of its kind in this area and the services they provide are necessary and admirable. We are so excited to be able to help and support their efforts.”

In order to minimize disruption for the 42 program residents, the painting project was split up over two consecutive Saturdays. More than two dozen McCarthy volunteers were involved in painting the 14 room, co-ed facility.

A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are passionate about building better communities. The McCarthy Heart Hats program is the volunteer-based community outreach arm of McCarthy dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play. In 2008, McCarthy donated more than $2 million nationwide to help make a difference.

McCarthy’s focus on partnering with organizations that benefit children made the decision to partner with Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities an easy one.   The two organizations worked to identify an opportunity that leveraged McCarthy’s building strengths to provide a special place for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House®.  The team decided on an outdoor pavilion that would provide families a place of relaxation as well as a space to hold barbeques and social gatherings.  The McCarthy team worked expeditiously, donating their time and materials to construct the new pavilion in just six days.

“We are truly grateful to the McCarthy team for donating their time, materials and expertise to creating a place that helps to makes a family’s time at the Ronald McDonald House the most comfortable experience possible,” said Linda M. Morris, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities President and CEO.  “The kind people of McCarthy prove that the generous spirit of the Atlanta business community is alive and well.”

“Our team of people takes great pride in what we do as a construction company, and that pride grows exponentially when we’re able to come together and give something back to our community,” said Kevin Kuntz, McCarthy Southeast Division president.  “McCarthy’s involvement in philanthropies and partnerships gives us the opportunity to create change through personal involvement.”

McCarthy is in the midst of a number of benefit events, including their recent involvement in The Georgia Multiple Sclerosis 150 cross country bike ride. The McCarthy riding team, dubbed the “Hammerheads”, participates annually in the ride in honor of an employee stricken with MS. The team’s dedication to health related philanthropies also extends to their upcoming involvement in The Atlanta Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk at Centennial Olympic Park.  The three-mile walk reflects McCarthy’s commitment to helping children and raising funds for research. The team also looks forward to participating again in Community Day at Hillside Medical Center later this month, volunteering their time to help unload and sell pumpkins at the Center’s annual pumpkin patch event.
McCarthy’s “Heart Hats” community involvement program is led by employees who donate their skills and time to over 36 national and local organizations.

About Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities
Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children by providing temporary housing and support services to families of critically ill and injured children being treated at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Scottish Rite and Egleston. ARMHC has served more than 35,000 families in its 30-year history.

Atlanta’s first Ronald McDonald House, the fourth in the world, located at 792 Houston Mill Road featured 16 bedrooms and hosted more than 24,000 families since opening in 1979. This facility closed May 1, 2008 as the new 50-bedroom Gatewood Ronald McDonald House opened on June 9, 2008 less than a mile away.  In June of 1994, the second house opened at 5420 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, which includes 11 bedrooms and has hosted more than 8,000 families.

At the Ronald McDonald House, families can enjoy many of the comforts of home, receive nutritious meals prepared and served by volunteers and obtain emotional support through contact with other families experiencing similar situations.  No family is turned away if they cannot afford the small $20 requested contribution and many of these families stay at the Ronald McDonald House for weeks, and sometimes months, while their children receive treatment at local children’s hospitals. For more information visit www.armh.com.

About McCarthy Heart Hats
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. The company has offices in Atlanta, St. Louis, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.  More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

As part of its Homeless Education Program, the Roosevelt Elementary School District provides tutoring, uniforms, personal hygiene items, transportation, backpacks and other school supplies to children in need. Last year, the need quadrupled to more than 800 identified homeless children, compared with 180 children the previous year. Donations became even more important and the McCarthy Heart Hats committee stepped in to help collect supplies, which included binders, notebooks, backpacks, pens and pencils, personal hygiene items and snacks, among other items.

“Donations are truly valued as they impact the quality and level of assistance we provide to homeless students. As a result of donations, Roosevelt School District is able to enhance the efforts and support to students who are homeless so they can fully benefit from their educational experiences,” said Cynthia Bryant, director of Federal programs for the Roosevelt Elementary School District. “These donations truly impact our delivery of a very comprehensive homeless program.”

The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to ensuring real community needs are being met through hands-on activities and financial support. Last year alone, more than $1 million in financial support, in-kind and hands-on building contributions were made through the program.

“The Homeless Education Program is incredibly valuable in our community and it’s extremely important we help support them,” said Bo Calbert, president of McCarthy’s Southwest region. “We are grateful to all who contributed and feel privileged to be able to donate these much-needed school items, especially in these tough economic times when the need reaches new heights.”

About McCarthy Heart Hats
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. The company has offices in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Atlanta, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.  More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

This year, the co-ed tournament held at the Bridgeton Municipal Athletic Complex attracted participants from 18 local architectural and engineering firms. The combined team of Simms Building Group, Inc. and Trivers Associates captured first place, splitting their winnings of $3,500 between Annie Malone Children and Family Service Center and the Salvation Army.  The second place team of Horner & Shifrin team elected to split its $1,500 prize between Kids in the Middle, Inc. and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. In addition to the softball competition, a grilling competition rounded out the event. Six grilling teams competed for the Master Griller title, which ultimately went to PayneCrest Electric & Communications.  A $1,500 donation will be made to their chosen charity, Epworth Children & Family Services.

“Trivers has been a participant in the McCarthy Softball Tournament for a few years now, and it has always been a great experience,” commented Architectural Designer Michael Meyer, LEED AP, with Trivers Associates.  “The tournament has consistently been a great environment to raise money for charity through fun and competition. The Simms/Trivers team worked together, rising to the championship, while having fun and enjoying the atmosphere all for a great cause.”

Floyd Simms, president and CEO with Simms Building Group, agreed. “This event exceeded our expectations.  From the selection of the venue to the variety of available foods, this affair was first class all the way.  The Simms/Trivers team toughed it out to beat over a dozen other teams to win the overall championship, and it was all of course for a great cause.”

For 13 years, the Architect/Engineer Charity Softball Tournament has generated much needed funds for St. Louis community organizations. In 2008, St. Louis-based architectural and interior design firm The Lawrence Group celebrated as tournament champion, donating winnings to two local charities, Studio STL and Life Skills. Other past recipient organizations have included:  Kids in the Middle, Camp Wartburg, Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ranken Jordan, Loyola Academy of St. Louis, St. Patrick Center, Downtown YMCA, St. Louis Shriners Hospital, Alzheimer Association and Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

“When we started this event more than a decade ago, we saw it as a fun way to bring the local building professionals together to help make a difference in our community,” said Scott Wittkop, president of McCarthy’s Central Division.  “It is an inspiration to see the impact the tournament continues to have on those participating and the organizations it assists.”

In addition to McCarthy, the teams participating in this year’s softball tournament represented the following companies:  Burns & McDonnell; Cannon Design; CH2M-Hill; Chiodini Associates; EDM Inc.; Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK), Inc.; Horner & Shifrin, Inc.; Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.; KPFF Consulting Engineers; The Lawrence Group; Maverick Technologies, LLC; McClure Engineering Associates; Oates Associates, Inc.; Peckham Guyton Albers & Viets, Inc. (PGAV); Ross & Baruzzini, Inc.; Simms Building Group, Inc.; Trivers Associates; and Volz Engineering.

The six teams competing in the grilling competition were:  Hilti North America; Industrial Sheet Metal Erectors, Inc.; Maverick Technologies, LLC; Negwer Materials, Inc.; PayneCrest Electric & Communications; and T.J. Wies Contracting, Inc.

About McCarthy Heart Hats
Founded in 1864, McCarthy is one of the oldest privately held construction firms in the nation.  The McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. With national headquarters in St. Louis, the company has additional offices in Atlanta, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Newport Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Sacramento.  More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

At the bike rodeo, students had the opportunity to learn and practice bike safety skills. Working in rotating stations, participants had their bikes inspected, learned how to properly start and stop, dodge rocks in the road, and to look for and yield to traffic. These stations prepared students to be safe when riding in their neighborhood.  

Heart Hats team members present a third grader with a brand new bicycle.

 In addition to volunteering, McCarthy donated a youth bike and safety gear given away as a raffle prize and provided snacks and water.  

“The bike rodeo is a great way to promote safety,” said McCarthy Project Engineer Geoff Godzik. “Any event that emphasizes safety is a great fit for McCarthy and we enjoyed taking part.”  

McCarthy first joined forces with Paradise Professional Development Elementary School in 2007 as part of the Clark County School District’s Focus School Program that partners community businesses with underserved schools in the valley. Since partnering with Paradise Elementary, employees of the Las Vegas office have completed a variety of hands-on projects with the school including much-needed small building improvement projects like installing shelves, painting and work programs and fun projects like painting faces for Halloween, organizing holiday food, book, coat and toy drives and donating their time and materials.  

About McCarthy Heart Hats  

The McCarthy “Heart Hats” community involvement program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.

The coveted Bronze “Constructor” sculpture was presented to McCarthy on April 4 during the AGCC Twenty-Second Annual California Constructor Awards program held at the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, Calif. McCarthy was one of six companies among 30 entries in six categories that received a Constructor Award. Over 280 California construction industry professionals were in attendance at the black tie affair, which recognizes “the best the best” AGCC members’ achievements for their skill, unique undertakings and ability to address the most difficult challenges contractors encounter.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room inside CHOC Children’s at Mission Hospital extends the services provided by  the Orange County Ronald McDonald House^® (OCRMH), which offers inexpensive, and often free, lodging to families while their children undergo treatment for serious illnesses and injuries at nearby medical facilities.

The $300,000 project, which began on August 25, 2008, included demolition and reconstruction of two sleep rooms, a kitchen area and family room. Contractors gutted the space and installed new lighting, drywall, carpeting, ceiling tile, casework and paint.  Once construction was completed in December 2008, the renovated space was furnished with new chairs, couches, lamps, toys, books, artwork and an existing 42 inch flat panel television. McCarthy Building Companies also donated two new computers for volunteer and visitor use.

With architectural design by RBB Architects Inc. of Los Angeles and interior design provided by Correy Design Group of Huntington Beach, the renovated Family Room predominantly features wood cabinetry that divides the space into different areas for volunteer activity, dining, watching television, computer use, relaxation and children’s activities.

McCarthy volunteers helped with the project through the McCarthy Heart Hats Program, a volunteer community outreach effort that enables McCarthy employees to dedicate time and resources to community involvement on paid workdays.  Through its relationship with subcontractors and vendors, McCarthy was also able to secure additional volunteers and donations from companies such as Appolo Electric, ISEC Inc., PCI, Martin Integrated, Hasson Inc., Johnson and Turner Painting, Premier Tile and Minka Group. RBB architects, KPFF Engineering and Correy Design group also donated services for this project. Ronald McDonald House additionally received donations for carpet and installation services from Shaw Carpet and Universal Flooring. All of the audio visual and sound equipment were donated and installed by Genesis Audio.

Since 2006, the Heart Hats have provided construction and other services and donations to six Ronald McDonald Houses or facilities in California. McCarthy, as well as many of the contractors and consultants involved in the Ronald McDonald House Family Room project, is an experienced healthcare builder currently constructing the new four-level Mission Hospital Patient Care Tower in Mission Viejo.

About McCarthy Heart Hats
The McCarthy “Heart Hats” community involvement program is dedicated to encouraging, supporting and recognizing McCarthy employees’ volunteer efforts in a variety of causes to ensure real needs are being met in communities where employees work, live and play.  A 100 percent employee-owned company, McCarthy employees are as passionate about building better communities as they are about construction. More information is available on line at www.mccarthy.com.