February 20, 2024

NKBA chapters made a tremendous impact in their respective communities last year, extending the association’s mission of creating safe, beautiful and functional spaces beyond individual projects to the broader scope of communities in need. From donating appliances to renovating apartments for those who have aged out of the foster care system, NKBA’s volunteers are transforming the regions where they are based and improving the lives of their inhabitants.

In San Francisco, NKBA’s Northern California Chapter supported the charitable organization Make It Home Bay Area, which helps local individuals and families coming out of crises, with a Chapter Day of Service. The chapter’s goal is to expand its impact through this partnership to more counties in the Bay Area later this year and into 2025.

Above photo:  NKBA’s Northern California Chapter supported Make It Home Bay Area, which helps local individuals and families coming out of crises, with a Chapter Day of Service. Photo credit: Nureed Saeed, NKBA Northern California Chapter president

Additionally, the Northern California Chapter is launching a new Trades Learning Program in partnership with Make It Home. This program was developed by Sharon Washington, PhD, CKBD, of Eclexis Design and last year’s Northern California Chapter’s own Star Award winner for volunteerism.

The chapter has also worked closely with the Marin Foster Care Association, which assists and advocates for those in the foster care system and their caretakers. The chapter helped renovate 10 apartments in a building the Marin Foster Care Association purchased for children aging out of the system.

“Our chapter’s philanthropic liaison, Eric O’Grey of True Appliances, has developed the ‘NKBA Community Cares Program,’ providing families in need within the Marin Foster Care Association with donated appliances from various local partners in the community,” said Nureed Saeed, Northern California Chapter president.

NKBA’s Texas North Plains Chapter recently hosted a fundraising event with silent auction proceeds donated to Operation Finally Home, a non-profit organization that supports wounded military veterans and other first responders by providing mortgage-free homes. Chapter president Andrew Risinger reported that the Texas North Plains silent auction raised more than $7,000 for Operation Finally Home.

In Denver, the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s annual Casino Night fundraiser’s proceeds benefited Caruso Family Charities, which assists Colorado families with children, adolescents or young adult family members undergoing treatment for life-threatening diseases or life-altering events. Chapter president Stephanie Shephard said their silent auction raised more than $11,000 for Caruso Family Charities.

Cambria hosted the Carolina Chapter’s annual holiday party benefiting the Crisis Assistance Ministry, which provides advocacy and assistance for those experiencing a financial crisis so they can become more self-sufficient. Photo credit: Erin Salamone, NKBA Carolina Chapter membership chair

Cambria hosted the Carolina Chapter’s annual holiday party benefiting Crisis Assistance Ministry, which serves the entire Charlotte area, providing advocacy and assistance for those experiencing a financial crisis so they can become more self-sufficient. Chapter members made individual donations to Crisis Assistance Ministry via Amazon fulfillment items or direct financial contributions and purchases, with Crisis Assistance donation receipts serving as members’ tickets to the event. Earlier in 2023, the Carolina Chapter made a generous monetary donation to the Alzheimer’s Association, per chapter president Nancy Jones.

One way NKBA’s Mountain States Chapter gave back to their community last year was through its second-annual Gingerbread Event, supporting The Other Side Village organization. Located in Salt Lake City, The Other Side Village is a master-planned community for people coming out of chronic homelessness.

The Prairie Provinces Chapter held a fall gala with a Sustainability Challenge, with proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity in Southern Alberta, according to chapter president Nadine Hawkins.

Chicago Midwest Chapter president Denise Butchko said that their chapter donated $2,000 to the Chicago Food Depository over the last several months of 2023.

Throughout the same year, the Central Ohio Chapter donated a portion of ticket sales from all events to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective food bank, which serves 20 counties in central and eastern Ohio.

California Capital Chapter president Gloria Clark tallied a donation of 40 coats given to the unhoused in their area.

With 70 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, NBKA reaches and connects more than 50,000 kitchen and bath professionals who are active in their communities, making a local impact in every region.

By Kelly Buchsbaum, Senior Manager, Chapter Relations, NKBA