Maggie Hardy Knox (far right), president of 84 Lumber, presents a check for $25,000 to Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House Wednesday, May 8, at the 84 Lumber in Bridgeville, Pa.
Also pictured (L to R): Tessa Paivanas, assistant Fisher House manager; Heather Frantz, Fisher House manager; former Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel; and current Steeler Alejandro Villanueva
EIGHTY FOUR, Pa. (May 9, 2019) – 84 Lumber announced a $25,000 donation yesterday to Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House, a nonprofit that provides a free “home away from home” for families of veterans who are receiving medical care at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System. Maggie Hardy Knox, president of 84 Lumber, presented a check at the company’s Bridgeville, Pa., store in front of more than 100 guests that included families, employees and volunteers from the organization. Several other veterans, as well as various 84 Lumber associates and customers, were also in attendance. In addition, 84 Lumber also committed to donating $500,000 to Fisher House Foundation over the next three years.
“It’s truly an honor to support Fisher House and the tremendous work they do for veterans and their families,” said Hardy Knox. “These donations will help them uphold their mission to provide military families with a comfortable place to stay while their loved ones receive medical care. With $25,000, Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House can either purchase enough groceries to stock their house for two years; provide 50 catered or prepared meals for visiting families; or cover lodging at nearby Family House when Fisher House is full. I can’t wait to see what $500,000 will do for the overall organization and other Fisher Houses around the world.”
Former Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel and current player Alejandro Villanueva made a special appearance at the event to sign autographs and take pictures. Villanueva, a U.S. Army veteran, also spoke to attendees about his admiration for Fisher House and how the organization helped him connect with local veterans when he moved to Pittsburgh.
Supporting America’s military is not new for 84 Lumber. Since 2016, the company has celebrated Military Appreciation Month with an annual Operation Appreciation campaign. Every May — and throughout the year — the building materials supplier takes various steps to honor the nation’s armed forces. Previous Operation Appreciation campaigns have involved an online contest for active and retired military members that awarded winners with an $8,400 credit to their local 84 Lumber. The company also offers a year-round 10 percent military discount and a designated purple parking spot for wounded warriors at all of their locations.
The company also actively recruits veterans for various roles across the organization, including sales, customer service and store management. In 2018, 84 Lumber hired roughly 100 veterans and currently employs more than 300 across the country.