MRC and TPFH met Florida Tile employees at the company’s corporate headquarters in Lexington, Ky., to personally thank them for the incredible impact of the donations and the involvement of the company. They also presented Michael Franceschelli, Florida Tile's CEO, with a marble plaque thanking the manufacturer for its ongoing partnership. 

 

Florida Tile has donated to TPFH and MRC since 2004, when it provided 895 square feet of floor tile for two Habitat for Humanity homes in Atlanta. Since that time, the company has donated more than 800 loads of tile that have gone to more than 20 states, 40 nonprofit organizations, and 15 countries. 

 

Two organizations that have shared in the donations joined MRC in expressing gratitude. Ashley Napier, executive director of Central West Virginia Outreach Center in Gassaway, W. Va., said that his organization has distributed 34 loads of tile to more than 1,600 families and organizations throughout West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region. Lisa Boen, vice president of operations for Operation Compassion in Cleveland, Tenn., shared a video demonstrating how they have used tile in orphanages, schools, medical clinics, homes and community centers in 15 countries in Central and South America, and in Eastern Europe.

 

Herb Miller, executive director of MRC and TPFH, said the partners wanted to demonstrate just how much the donations have meant and to underscore the importance of the longevity of the partnership. He congratulated Florida Tile on its 60th anniversary and said the company has done well to focus both on business and supporting communities. 

 

“Florida Tile is one of our longest-standing partners and they have truly made a difference in the lives of thousands of families," he said. "We work with nonprofit partners around the country and tile is one of our most-requested items. We’re grateful that Florida Tile understands the value of donating and the good that their tile does in so many communities. They are one of our core donors and we couldn’t do what we do without them.”

 

Franceschelli said, “Our working partnership with Mountain Re-Source Center is very important. It provides a simple, functional method for helping local communities. It is also important for Florida Tile, which is owned by international tile manufacturer Panariagroup, to be able to reach more distant communities in need. The affiliation with Mountain Re-Source Center enables distribution of materials internationally as well, including to regions such as Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe.”

 

Diane Hancock, director of Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, thanked Florida Tile for its community support on behalf of Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear. She presented Franceschelli with a letter from the governor recognizing the company’s contributions to both the local economy and to communities around the world. She also gave him a pewter mint julep cup from the office of the governor.

 

For more information, visit mountainre-source.org and tpfh.com.