It was September 2020 — when the pandemic still had a firm grip on the state.
The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey knew it wanted — and needed — to help. So, when it came to donate the proceeds from its annual golf fundraiser, sending them to its political action committee didn’t seem appropriate.
Instead, the group decided to donate to two nonprofit organizations: Convoy of Hope and Fulfill Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean counties.
“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,” MCANJ President Rick Tomaiko said.
“Donating to these two charities was the right thing to do at the time, because it helped so many people.”
The one-time offering has become an annual act of goodwill that is celebrated among its membership.
Earlier this week, MCANJ raised $50,000 for the two charities from its golf fundraiser at the Spring Lake Golf Club Country Club. Since 2020, MCANJ has donated $150,000 to the organizations.
“I’m glad that we are continuing this tradition,” Tomaiko said. “The membership feels this is a meaningful way that we can give back to the community.”
Convoy of Hope, based in Springfield, Missouri, provides children’s feeding, disaster 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.
About MCANJ
The Mechanical Contractors Association of New Jersey is a trade association serving and representing the mechanical and HVAC/R service contractors of New Jersey through marketing campaigns and various other efforts, including industry legislation.
MCANJ provides education, industry guidance and a network of valued affiliations to mechanical and service contractors and their ancillary business partner companies. MCANJ offers safety training, advanced skills seminars, official recognition programs and networking events that benefit member companies, who employ union labor, and help foment stability and growth throughout New Jersey’s greater contracting and construction and service industries.
Neptune City-based Fulfill, formerly known as the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean, not only provides emergency food, but also helps those in need get to a place where they can get back on their feet for good.
MCANJ Executive Director Marty Drobny said having an impact — especially locally — is important.
“We wanted to contribute to an organization that was doing good work locally,” he said. “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.”
The donation is well received, Fulfill CEO Triada Stampas said.
“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,” she said.
“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.
“With the demand for food up 60% since the beginning of the year, this donation comes at a much-needed time.”
