McCarthy Building Companies’ employees Sole Alofaituli, Richard Sprague, Jason Carothers and Bob Morris were part of a team of 30 volunteers from various companies who completed a home makeover for a Los Alamitos family in need.

McCarthy Heart Hat’s employee volunteer group from McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. of Newport Beach, Calif. recently completed a home makeover for a Los Alamitos family in great need of assistance.  Over 22 subcontractors donated supplies and services along with McCarthy Heart Hats to conduct the home remodel valued at approximately $80,000.

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.”

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.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., the largest builder in St. Louis, recently hosted its 13th Annual Architect/Engineer Charity Softball Tournament.  Under the McCarthy Heart Hats community outreach program, all proceeds from the annual event are donated to a St. Louis charity of the tournament winner’s choosing.  Since its inception, the event has generated more than $70,000 for area charities.

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.

McCarthy would like to thank the generosity of those in attendance.  Through donations and raffle tickets, we raised $7,300 for the local charity. The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth is dedicated to eliminating homelessness among Nevada youth.

The McCarthy Heart Hats Committee presented members of the organization with a check for $2,300 and delivered food and supplies as well as gift cards for Target, movies and groceries totaling more than $5,000 to the Maryland Parkway drop-in center.

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.

Founded in 1864, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest commercial construction companies in the nation. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.  More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.

McCarthy employees recently participated in the hit TV show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” which presented a deserving Fresno, Calif., family with the home of their dreams. The ABC show is centered on the requirement that the demolition of the original house and construction of the new house be completed in just seven days.

The mother, Mary Ann Riojas, was born without legs and only one fully developed arm. Despite facing a lifetime of adversity, she is dedicated to giving back and is an inspiration to her community. Mary Ann has managed to live an independent and active life, including having four children. Unfortunately, her home was ill-equipped to serve her physical challenges and led to many serious physical injuries.

Along with the other participants, McCarthy partners worked 14-hour days for a week straight to provide the family with a home custom built for the mother’s special needs. Led by McCarthy Project Superintendent James Wickham, their contributions included working on door frames and trim work, as well as constructing a new bed for Mary Ann. At the end of the week, the family had more than a place to live, they had the security and peace of mind that comes with the knowledge their family will live in a safe and supportive home.

“We were so humbled to be invited to participate in this exciting whirlwind project for this incredible family and enjoyed meeting and working with the show’s designers,” said Wickham. “I was especially humbled to lead construction on Mary Ann’s bed – something that will truly make a difference in her life going forward.”

The show aired on Sunday, March 8.

About Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
The Emmy award winning reality program “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” now in its 6th season, is produced by Endemol USA, a division of Endemol Holding. It’s executive-produced by Anthony Dominici. David Goldberg is Chairman, Endemol North America. The show airs Sundays from 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET on ABC.

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.

This was the third year McCarthy hosted a day of workshops that provided more than 100 Junior Girl Scouts the opportunity to learn about exciting career opportunities in the construction industry.

Working in rotating groups of about 15 -20 girls, eight interactive 30-minute workshops will cover a number of relevant topics including: construction safety, road and intersection design, tiles and pavers, carpentry careers & tools, painting and sign design.  The activities, which take place during Women in Construction Week, provide the girls the opportunity to earn their “Ms Fix It” badge by completing the designated activities throughout the day.

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.

Founded in 1864, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the oldest and largest commercial construction companies in the nation. McCarthy is 100 percent employee owned.  More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.