Dealers rally to build decks for soldiers

of a veteran who was killed overseas last year would qualify for a deck build. It's pretty amazing what we can do as an industry to say thanks! It's a little thing that could make a big difference in this young woman's life.

BPD What role can a lumberyard or hardware store play in the program?

NADRA Participants can be a NADRA member of any category. You might not be on the jobsite digging footers, but maybe you have office staff to help manage the scheduling or a marketing department to assist in the media end of things. This isn't to say you can't help on the jobsite, but each member has their own niche.

The program has been very influential in chapters that just start up. It is a great way to get the team together, network, rub elbows, and build a deck-and camaraderieusing newer products donated by NADRA members. It's a way to get your tools, products, services in the hands of all your local industry pros. We find many times that the chapter numbers grow during and after a build.

NADRA makes a big effort to recognize every member who participates in the program. We recognize them on a national level, by creating signage for our booth at DeckExpo. We list all members who have been involved with the program on this signage. We also give shout-outs on NADRA's Facebook, Linkedln, the NADRA blog, The Brief (a weekly industry update for the decking industry from NADRA), and The BUZZ (an e-newsletter we send out from time to time).

\]onru AvenrcnN Deck & Railing Association is behind I \ a campaign to show appreciation for members of the armed forces by building them decks.

BPD asked Heather Beaudry, NADRA's membership, chapter and event coordinator, how lumber dealers can participate in the Deck for a Soldier program.

BPD How are recipients selected?

NADRA Military or family of military can find the application at www.nadra.org/nadra_d4s_application.pdf

They mail the application to NADRA headquarters. We then send the applications to the local chapter's committee chair. The chapter reviews the applications and votes. Sometimes we get lucky and get a larger stack of applications, but other times locating a soldier is the most difficult part of the process.

As the program grows, we are receiving more and more interest. Today, I spoke to a woman from a family assistance center in Minnesota who wanted to know if a widow

We encourage members to create their own press releases if they are involved in the program. We also have each chapter create their own recaps that we share in all our media outlets and on NADRA's D4S webpage.

BPD What can they donate?

NADRA The Deck for a Soldier (D4S) program is run under the NADRA umbrella, which is a 501(c)6, not a c(3), which is a charity. We try to make this as clear as possible when a build is in the beginning stages. Companies can use receipts for materials, etc., as a business expense, but they are not a tax write-off.

Members have donated products ranging from the deck design, to composite decking for the entire deck, lumber for the framing, fasteners, railing, outdoor lighting, tools for the jobsite, permits, taking care of the bill for rhe D4S Tshirts, taking care of the bill for the ribbon cutting ceremony, grills, patio furniture, photography, landscaping, firepits, patio, Porta-Potty. During our last build in

Washington, we even had a member vendor donate a bounce house for all the kids to play on during the ribbon cutting ceremony!

Members donate the time of their employees, who help manage and maintain the project build and communications with the local member volunteers and different media outlets. We even have members use their own marketing teams to create flyers, press releases, and other various communications. Whether you want to oversee the project, donate your product, or get your hands dirty, there is a place for every member within this program.

BPD Is there anything dealers can do to rally support from their contractor customers or decking vendors?

NADRA Of course! Hang flyers in your store. Include the D4S build details and chapter meeting dates in your newsletters. Tell your deck builders about the ways they can help the industry, and how NADRA can help them.

Although our goal with this program is to give back to the men and women who do so much for us and lose so much for us, you're also getting to meet your top deck builders on very neutral ground. Builders can work with your local manufacturer reps on using new fasteners, railing, lighting, decking, learning the best installation, adhering to local codes.

It's a great feeling and an extraordinary experience for everyone involved.

BPD How can dealers help promote the program?

NADRA Helping use your PR resources is one of the best ways. The builders are busy doing what they do best: building! So, using these types of resources is the absolute best way you can help! Talk to your townships, let the community know what you are doing as a NADRA chapter. Contact your local VFW, host a local D4S committee meeting at a local restaurant, or find a local park and buy some pizzas. Add 30 minutes to the agenda for your sponsor to talk about a product.

Invite your building officials and inspectors to the meeting to learn about what NADRA is doing and have them speak for 15 minutes. There's a chance they may even waive the permit fee for you!

- For more on the program, visit www.nadra.org.

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