Tiles for Humanity

What exactly does TPFH do? The mission of TPFH is to enable donations of tile, tile-related materials, and labor to non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, to strengthen communities, and improve lives. Lynn Labuda, executive director at Tile Partners for Humanity, Inc., answered TURKOFAMERICA?s questions. Can you tell us about your organization's accomplishments? What is your mission? In 2003, TPFH made a 5-year pledge to Habitat for Humanity on behalf of the tile industry to donate more than $1.25 million of tile, tile materials and labor to HFHI and more than doubled that goal. In 2008, TPFH made a new 5-year pledge to Habitat for Humanity of $2.5 million in donations and we are proud to announce that we will meet and exceed this pledge in July, 2010. Since 2003, TPFH has donated more than $20 million in tile and related materials to Habitat for Humanity and other nonprofit organizations. The mission of TPFH is to enable donations of tile, tile-related materials, and labor to non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to strengthen communities and improve lives. Who supports your organization? How many tile businesses work with your organization? TPFH is supported by the tile industry and accepts funding and donations of tile, tile related materials, labor and installation training as well as other construction-related materials. We are guided by six industry organizations (The Tile Doctor, NTCA, TCNA, CTDA, CTEF, and The Tile Heritage Foundation) whose representatives sit on the TPFH Board of Directors, as well as representatives from MAPEI, Pan American Ceramics, Habitat for Humanity International and Mountain Resource Center. TPFH partners with manufacturers, distributors, independent stores and contractors throughout the US. These industry partners provide tile, setting materials, tools, floor preparation materials, cleaners and sealers, and labor and installation training to Habitat affiliates and other nonprofit organizations interested in building with tile. How do you find needy people to help? We have worked very closely with Habitat for Humanity over the past 8 years to assist affiliates in building thousands of homes. TPFH also partners with other worthy nonprofit organizations that request donations of tile materials. Can you give us an idea of the amount of your donations? Approximately $20 million in materials since 2003. Can international companies join your organization (for example, could a Turkish company from Turkey support your organization?) Today, TPFH operates only in the US, but we would love to partners with any Turkish companies that have a presence in the US and are willing to donate materials to help us achieve our mission. Would you like to add anything? Tile Partners for Humanity was formed in December, 2002 when Curt Rapp of The Tile Doctor and Gray LaFortune of the Ceramic Tile Institute of America realized that the industry?s excess tile disposed of in landfills could be put to much better use. They worked with Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) to create the partnership which serves to utilize this excess inventory, raise awareness of HFHI within the industry and to solicit donations of materials, labor and other support for HFHI.