CCA’s Partnership with Tunnel to Towers Widens its Reach

As the New Year unfurls, CCA Global Partners members, vendors, and staff vowed to continue supporting everyday heroes, one day and one dollar at a time.

During the General Session of CCA Global Partner’s Winter Convention, held in Phoenix earlier this month, Theresa Fisher, Senior Vice President of Visual Merchandising and Brand Development, revealed the company’s latest collective fundraising efforts for the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Support for the foundation and its vital projects, including its Smart Home Program, is ongoing throughout the year and remains at the helm of CCA’s mission of philanthropy and goodwill. The cooperative has more recently joined forces with companies like Mohawk, Masterbrand, and Hunter Douglas, outfitting each SMART home with specialty flooring, kitchen and bath cabinets, and window coverings, respectively.

Since its partnership with the charity began over nine years ago, CCA has raised over $1.8 million, with in-kind donations bringing that amount to nearly $5 million dollars. To date, CCA has helped provide custom-designed, mortgage-free SMART homes for 65 injured servicemen and women: improving the daily lives not only for veterans, but for their families as well.

“So many people don’t ever really consider that when an individual joins the service, the entire family does as well,” Theresa noted. “And, just like our veterans, we all owe a great debt for these families, and we have to be there for them in the event of tragedy.”

Joining Theresa on the Winter Convention stage, Adam Keys, US Army Veteran and Smart Home recipient, encouraged the audience to think carefully about how they can help others in the coming year.

Adam, who served in Afghanistan in 2010 and moved into his mortgage-free home designed to accommodate his everyday needs in 2015, lightened the moment with his stand-up comedy, bringing smiles from the crowd. Adam was injured by a roadside bomb during his yearlong deployment and continues to heal from his wounds, which included the loss of both lower legs and his left arm.

Later, Ed Israel, who owns Carpet One and Floor Trader stores in North Carolina, urged his colleagues to take their dollars even further, noting that weekly donations from the membership would mean the foundation could build even more homes and serve more Gold Star families.

“With additional donations, we can build three, possibly four homes every year," Ed said, inciting a thunder of applause.

To learn more about the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation and its ongoing efforts, visit www.t2t.org.