E.J. Welch Co, Inc. would like to thank everyone who contributed an entry for the Helping Hands, Designing For Charity flooring giveaway to help celebrate our 50th Anniversary. We asked designers to submit a design for a charity of their choice, and why they thought the charity deserved the award. The entries would then get to choose 500-1,000 sq. ft. of floor and wall base from E.J. Welch's product line. The response was fantastic and many amazing charities were represented. This made the decision extremely difficult. Unfortunately, only four charities could be chosen. With the help of an independent group of designers, not tied to any of the firms or charities submitted, the entries were judged, and here are the winners:

Missouri Territory
We would like to congratulate Lift for Life Academy – 6th Grade Center, of St. Louis, MO as a winner! This inner city charity was submitted by Steve Hoover of Remiger/SUDA Architects. The LFLA lifts at-risk St. Louis students from severe underachievement to grade level proficiency through intensive classroom engagement, tutoring and extra support to prepare them for productive futures. And – it’s working! 90% of seniors graduate from Lift for Life Academy! Johnsonite ID LVT is the product of choice for this design.

Illinois Territory
Congratulations goes to the Lester and Rosalie Anixter Center, of Chicago, IL! This charity was submitted by Carol G. LaMar and Brittany Hahn of Cannon Design. The Anixter Center ensures a high quality of care for more than 10,000 low-income, underserved individuals with disabilities. The client Lobby and guard station is the focus for this project. Currently the bus drop off for accessible clients is an exposed pitted and stained concrete and it is part of the lobby space. By putting Johnsonite ID LVT in this area they will have a more positive first impression and a safer walking surface.

Indiana Territory
The Villages of Indiana, of Indianapolis, IN was choses as our third winner! This charity was submitted by Julie Knight of IDO Architects. The Villages of Indiana is a private not-for-profit child and family services agency with an array of services to support and sustain vulnerable children and their families all over Indiana. Over 11,000 children and families were impacted by the Villages in 2011. Supervised visitation services allow families who have been separated for various reasons remain connected and preserve the family bond through safe and secure opportunities within a home-like setting. Families and their children are allowed to re-connect, learn new parenting skills and experience being a healthy family so reunification can safely occur. 83% of the youth that the Villages serve remain in ONE home. The Washington boulevard facility is in desperate need of a durable new floor where many of these meetings will take place. Due to the high traffic Roca ceramic was chosen.

Wisconsin Territory
Last, but not least, congratulations to the Ronald McDonald House, of Milwaukee, WI! This charity was submitted by Linda Moses, ASID of Plunkett Raysich Architects. The RMH is a home for families who have a child being treated at Children’s Hospital. Families that take advantage of this lodging, can be close by and not have the enormous expense of staying in a hotel or trying to find other housing at a time of distress. An immediate need has arisen to replace the kitchen and dining space. This was not in the budget as another large project has taken the resources. Columbia Hardwood was chosen for this “homelike” atmosphere.

All winners will be posted on our E.J. Welch website, our Facebook page, and we will also be promoting this event in the trade magazines, STL Business Journal and IIDA website. We will have a follow up email after each job is complete with photos of the final installation. Thanks again, and Happy Holidays!