Industry embraces its golden purpose

Golden Hammer Purpose awards honor community service and the greater good.
HBSDealer Staff

Image

It’s not a secret. Hardware stores, home centers and building supply dealers perform an oversized role in supporting their communities. They build them, they repair them, they’re the go-to place for emergency supplies. Even when their own homes are threatened by stormy weather, this industry’s helpful employees are in the aisles or in the yard, moving product.

And that’s just the beginning. The tradition of service extends well beyond the store to charities, hospitals, community centers, children, the hungry, the needy and a myriad of community projects that bring people together for the greater good.

HBSDealer recently asked readers to share their stories of community involvement, and the results were golden. Here are some highlights.

Carr Hardware’s Thanksgiving dinner volunteers.

Carr Hardware

When Carr Hardware of Pittsfield, Mass., won the 2017 Indie Award – the National Independent Small Business of the Year—the prize money went straight back into the community.

“It wasn't even a second thought on how to spend the $5,000,” said Bart Raser, owner. “It was donated right away to the children's park in our hometown of Pittsfield.”

Carr Hardware partners with various local non-profits every year. Recently, operating under the cloud of the pandemic, Carr pulled out all the stops to help with donations, can drives, round up programs and more. the Berkshire Humane Society, Avon Gifts of Love and even the Enfield Dog park. Also, a special fundraising effort provided $8,500 in PPE needs for children returning to school.

“You can't think about Carr without thinking about our involvement in the community,” Raser said. “Our communities are the most important thing to us and we are deeply engrained.”

# # #

Learn More: https://www.hbsdealer.com/indu...