LAS VEGAS—On Jan. 21, the Long Island Floor Covering Association (LIFCA) celebrated its 50th anniversary with a gala dinner at the Woodbury Country Club in Woodbury, N.Y. ( FCNews, Jan. 26/Feb. 2).

The event was more than just a celebration for an organization that has been helping members of the flooring industry located in the Long Island, N.Y., region be more professional. With almost 200 people in attendance, the festivities included a tribute to 34 dealers, contractors and cleaning companies that have been in the flooring business for at least 50 years.

One of the important components of the evening was that the proceeds from the evening were used to do more than help LIFCA fund future programs and services. The event acted as a fundraiser for the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), a non-profit organization founded by industry members to help fellow industry members continue to lead dignified lives in times of catastrophic need.

Christopher Capobianco, LIFCA’s executive director, reported the 50th anniversary gala raised $2,000 for FCIF. Because of the timing of the event, Arnold Graff, LIFCA president/treasurer, waited two weeks until he was in Las Vegas for Surfaces 2009 to present the check to Chris Davis, president of FCIF.

To date, FCIF has given out more than $2 million in grant money to industry people in need. Eligible recipients include anyone who has been employed in the flooring industry—from the retail salesperson and installer to the distributor rep and a mill executive.

To learn more about FCIF, call 714.634.0302 or visit fcif.org.