MIA+BSI Supports R.I.S.E. Program
MIA+BSI continues to support the Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program (Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment). Through this program, MIA+BSI members provide natural stone materials, fabrication, and installation for specially adapted smart homes for severely wounded veterans and their families nationwide.
2017 MIA President Jon Lancto (Big Fish Consulting) notes that this a worthwhile cause for the association: “What better cause could our organization be involved with that allows the participation of our members in distribution, fabrication, and installation?” Tania Kalentzos (MARVA Marble & Granite), who donated material for a recent project, reflected on the importance of this cause: “We are honored to participate in the R.I.S.E. program, to support and honor our nation’s veterans. We believe that it is our duty, as American citizens, to remember our nation’s defenders. Honoring the sacrifice of our veterans is particularly near to our hearts, since our CEO, Chris Kalentzos, spent a number of years in the 82nd Airborne. It is our pleasure and privilege to play a role in helping the Hedrick family to thrive, in their new specially-adapted smart home.”
“We are honored to recognize the service and sacrifices of the veterans in our R.I.S.E. program with customized specially adapted smart homes designed to ease the challenges that they and their families face day-to-day. With support from organizations like MIA+BSI and their generous members we are able to deliver forever homes that give our veterans a new level of independence,” says Judith Otter, Executive Director of the Gary Sinise Foundation.
MIA+BSI would like to thank the following companies that have supported this initiative:
MARVA Marble & Granite, Trindco, Pyramid Marble & Granite, AG&M, Rugo Stone, Delta Granite & Marble, M S International, Dee Brown, Inc., Daltile, ROCKin’teriors, Marble Line, Arizona Tile, Pental Surfaces, Floform, Marjan Stone, Big Creek Granite, Granite Group, Florida Bath & Surfaces, Inc., Mont Granite, Distinctive Marble & Granite, Global Granite & Marble, Murphy Marble, Acorn Granite & Marble, Duracite, and TexaStone Quarries.
To learn how your company can get involved in this program, visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/RISE.