Newly Renovated School

By Steven Feldman
Hicksville, N.Y.—In less than a decade BR-111 has developed a stellar reputation for supplying the U.S. with high-quality exotic hardwood from South America. Business continues to grow exponentially, and now the company is giving back through the creation of the BR-111 Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes socio-economic progress in the company’s home country of Brazil.

According to the company, education and social services for under privileged children, coupled with the responsible management of natural resources, represent the cornerstone of its mission. While the Brazilian government strives toward far-reaching socio-economic solutions, the BR-111 Foundation seeks to provide immediate support to the communities associated with the production of the manufacturer’s hardwood flooring.

To that end, the Rubens Moraes Educational Institute (RUMO), working under the BR-111 Foundation umbrella, is dedicated to organizing and administering education, social services and healthcare to children within specific poverty-stricken communities in Brazil. Using education as a tool, RUMO seeks to reduce poverty and promote a higher quality of life and overall standard of living.

“We always planned to give something back if we could,” said Daniel Pagano, vice president of BR-111. “We have been lucky to the point where we are now able to.”

The historic Monte Alegre School (est. circa: 1936) has emerged as the centerpiece of RUMO. Located in Piracicaba, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, Monte Alegre was once a thriving sugar mill community. But when mill operations shut down in the mid-1970s, the school eventually closed and the building sat empty for more than a decade.

Fully renovated through the BR-111 Foundation, the school opened for the 2006 school year. Forty children between the ages of three and six years are attending the school full-time, receiving a broad education curriculum, transportation, uniforms, school supplies and daily nutritional services.

The game plan is for the program to expand on an annual basis. At the conclusion of each school year, one grade level will be added to the school. Within a five-year cycle, the goal of a comprehensive elementary education facility will be fully realized.

No Limits

But it doesn’t end there. “Right now we bring in kids from surrounding villages,” Pagano said. “The idea is to build multiple schools in the villages. Instead of bringing in 100 children, we can build schools and hire people from villages. This is just the beginning of a dream that has no limits. In depends only on how much money we can raise.”

Here’s how it works: BR-111 pledges a portion of every sale of its hardwood flooring products to the foundation. Corporate donations and sponsorship opportunities are also actively solicited to guarantee the organization’s growth. To date, many of BR-111’s strategic alliances in the hardwood flooring industry have stepped up to the plate.

For example, Pagano noted that wholesalers J.J. Haines and Hoboken Floors are donating a percentage of their purchases to the foundation, and Chicago distributor All-Tile presented BR-111 with a $15,000 check at Surfaces ( FCNews, Feb. 6/13).

“BR-111 and All-Tile have like interests in that both companies understand there is more to profit than personal gain,” said Bob Weiss, president of All-Tile. “The BR-111 Foundation is a grass roots effort to make something better. Ricardo [Moraes, BR-111’s president] and Daniel came up with this idea, and we believe in their vision. A lot of people put their money straight into their pockets. Then there are those who give back. It’s important.”

Pagano added that BR-111 is seeking as many partners as possible. “The more partners, the quicker we can add grades. It’s pretty much up to us as to how fast we can expand.”

The BR-111 Foundation is a registered 510 (C) (3) non-profit organization. This means all donations are fully tax deductible.

To learn more about the foundation or to make a donation, call 800/525-2711.