Making a Lasting Impact - Modern House Numbers’ Year of Giving
At Modern House Numbers, we firmly believe that success isn’t just about what we achieve as a company, but also about how we can make a meaningful impact on those around us. As we look back on 2024, we are proud to highlight the ways in which we’ve contributed to our community. From helping a hero in need to supporting families during the holiday season, we’ve worked hard to give back. Here’s a roundup of the initiatives and donations that helped us make a difference this year:
Helping a Hero: A Heartfelt Donation to Sgt Ben Marksmeier
This year, Modern House Numbers, in partnership with Sierra Homes Omaha, is honored to support an American hero, Sgt Ben Marksmeier, USA (Ret.), by donating custom numbers for his newly built home. Sgt Marksmeier, a decorated veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was severely injured in Iraq while saving a fellow soldier. These injuries were sustained in a blast and against all odds, he survived.
After being declared dead on the battlefield, a medic’s quick thinking revived him, and he made it home to witness the birth of his son. Today, Sgt Marksmeier is a proud single father of three boys, and through the Helping a Hero program, he will receive a specially designed, accessible home to improve his quality of life and enable him to care for his family. This home will provide Sgt Marksmeier with the independence and mobility that he truly needs and deserves.
We’re incredibly grateful to be part of this life-changing project!
Nourishing Families: Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Charities provides a much needed “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Their mission is to support the health and well-being of children and their families during challenging times.
This year, we had the privilege of participating in their Chef for a Day program. Our team prepared a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Tucson, Arizona. This experience was deeply rewarding. We felt incredibly lucky to be able to donate our time so families could focus on the more important task of caring for their loved ones. We feel honored to have been a part of this important program as they support families when they need it most.
Community Clean-Up: Protecting Our Environment and Enhancing Our Community
At Modern House Numbers, we believe a well-cared for community is a thriving community. That’s why we organized a cleanup event to remove trash and clear debris from a local Tucson wash. This wash is a natural resource that provides an essential wildlife habitat, plays a role in flood control and is a part of urban runoff management. As an urban greenway, it also offers open spaces for recreation and relaxation for our community.
We were fortunate to partner with the local non-profit, Tucson Clean and Beautiful, who generously provided gloves, trash bags, and other tools to help the day run smoothly. This cleanup not only improved the local environment but also highlighted the power of collective action. Small efforts, when shared by many, can drive ongoing, positive change. We’re proud to contribute to the health and beauty of our community while also helping protect this valuable ecosystem for future generations.
Community Food Bank Donation: Ensuring No One Goes Hungry
Food insecurity remains a serious issue, and we felt that it’s important to do our part to help those in need. According to Feeding America, a non-profit organization, 1 in 8 Arizonans are facing hunger this year. Every year we make a donation to our local food bank, ensuring that families facing hard times can access food when needed. In addition to financial contributions, our team also collected non-perishable food items to be distributed to those struggling to put food on the table.
Habitat for Humanity: Building Homes, Building Hope
Affordable housing is a fundamental need for all communities. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve their homes. It offers the opportunity to create safe, stable, and affordable living environments. This year, Modern House Numbers felt that it would be the perfect place to make a financial donation, supporting their efforts within our local community. By contributing to this cause, we hope to play a part in making a lasting difference.
Adopt a Family: Spreading Holiday Cheer
The holiday season is a time of giving, and last Christmas we were happy to take part in the Salvation Army’s Adopt a Family program. Through this initiative, we shopped for gifts, meals, and essential household items for two families who were experiencing financial hardships. We were grateful to have had the opportunity to share the spirit of giving this holiday season.
Looking Ahead: Continuing the Tradition of Giving Back
At Modern House Numbers, we understand that our work doesn’t end with a single act of kindness. Giving back is an ongoing commitment which is woven into the fabric of who we are. As we look toward 2025, we are excited to continue our efforts to make a positive impact in our local community and beyond. Whether it’s through volunteering, donations, or partnerships with local organizations, we are dedicated to being a force for good and inspiring others to do the same.
We also would like to encourage you to find ways to give back in your own community, whether it’s through volunteering your time, donating resources, or simply offering support to those who need it most. Together, we can make a difference—one act of kindness at a time.
If you'd like to get involved and volunteer with any of the organizations featured in our blog, here are their links:
Helping a Hero: https://helpingahero.org/
Ronald McDonald House: https://rmhctucson.org/for-volunteers/
Tucson Clean and Beautiful: https://tucsoncleanandbeautiful.org/
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona: https://donate.communityfoodbank.org/
Feeding America: https://www.feedingamerica.org/
Habitat for Humanity: https://www.habitat.org/
Salvation Army Adopt a Family: https://www.salvationarmytucson.org/adopt-a-family-tucson
If you're not based in the Tucson area, many of these organizations have programs in cities across the country.
rick mclain, author
Rick is a licensed architect at Repp McLain Design & Construction. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona and an MS from the Department of Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). When he’s not designing and fabricating he enjoys spending time with Brandy, Jack, Avery & Taylor and restoring his grandfather’s Ford pickup truck. Learn more about Rick on LinkedIn.
You can learn more about Rick on the Repp McLain Website, on LinkedIn, at the AIA Website, or on Facebook.
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