The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey, a longtime NJBIA member, has donated $150,000 to two nonprofits since the pandemic began, including $50,000 raised most recently at its Sept. 26 golf outing at the Spring Lake Golf Country Club.
The tradition began during the COVID-19 pandemic when MCANJ decided to donate the proceeds of its golf fundraiser to two humanitarian organizations rather than use the money to shore up its political action committee. Now the annual donations to Convoy of Hope and Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean are celebrated as an act of goodwill by MCANJ members, who include mechanical and HVAC/R service contractors.
“When we held our golf outing in 2020, the feeling among our leadership was that there were organizations that needed this money far more than we did,” said Rick Tomaiko, president of MCANJ.
“Donating to these two charities was the right thing to do at the time because it helped so many people,” Tomaiko said. “I’m glad that we are continuing this tradition. The membership feels this is a meaningful way that we can give back to the community.”
Convoy of Hope, based in Missouri, provides food for children, disaster relief services and community services. The organization has been a longtime recipient of giving from the Mechanical Contractors Association of America, the national arm of MCANJ.
The New Jersey-based Fulfill of Monmouth and Ocean, formerly known as the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean, provides emergency food services and various community programs that help those in need become self-sufficient.
“We wanted to contribute to an organization that was doing good work locally,” said Marty Drobny, executive director of MCANJ. “Many of our members were aware of the vital role that Fulfill plays in Monmouth and Ocean counties and are proud that we’re able to make such a substantial donation to this organization.”
“On behalf of the families we serve at Fulfill, we want to thank the Mechanical Contractors Association for their incredibly generous donation and continued support,” said Fulfill President and CEO Triada Stampas.
“We are able to provide three meals for every dollar donated, so this donation has an incredible impact – getting 75,000 meals distributed to our neighbors in need at the Jersey Shore,” Stampas said. “With the demand for food up 60% since the beginning of the year, this donation comes at a much-needed time.”
About MCANJ
The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey is a trade association serving and representing the mechanical and mechanical, heating, air-conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) service contractors of New Jersey. MCANJ provides education, industry guidance and a network of valued affiliations to mechanical and service contractors and their ancillary business partner companies.
