For many companies in the industry, helping others has nothing to do with free publicity and everything to do with caring about their communities and making a worthwhile difference in the lives of both the recipients and the companies’ staff.
Located on Florida’s Marco Island, Marco Canvas & Upholstery has a history of giving back to the community—a tradition managing member Edward Skrzynski Jr. wanted to continue when he bought the company in 2008, even though the recent purchase had put him “on a thin dime.” So when he was approached by nearby St. Matthew’s House, a shelter and food pantry, about providing a shade canopy to help protect those being fed outdoors, he figured out a way to make it happen.
St. Matthew’s House didn’t have the budget for the canopy, which posed several challenges. Skrzynski approached his metal and fabric suppliers for donations and reduced pricing—handling the design, fabrication, validating fire code compliance, permitting and installation at no charge. Through donations, St. Matthew’s House was able to afford the remaining raw materials necessary to complete the project with its long-term functionality in mind…