In a ceremony at this year’s Coverings tile and stone exhibition in Orlando, Florida, TPFH presented this prestigious award to Zanger in recognition of his important contributions in establishing the organization seven years ago, and for spearheading the continued efforts of Walker Zanger in the years that have followed. Walker Zanger has championed the cause of TPFH to strengthen communities with generous financial support as a Platinum level sponsor, in tandem with donations of its world-class tile and stone hard surfaces to improve the homes and lives of those less-fortunate among us.

"This award is shared by the people of Walker Zanger. We are tremendously honored by this recognition, and I am personally happy that our commitment to serve the wider community dovetails so seamlessly with our love for the tile industry, through our long relationship with Tile Partners for Humanity”, says Zanger. “Seven years ago we began a relationship with Tile Partners for Humanity that has grown through the years, and enhanced the lives of so many people. We at Walker Zanger look forward to building on that relationship, and helping many more people and communities realize their American Dream."

"TPFH is a wonderful organization that does so much for so many, which is especially important in these challenging times,” said Bart Bettiga, executive director of the NTCA and a long-time member of TPFH’s board of directors. “While many companies have given generously of materials and time, money is often a very difficult donation to secure. Walker Zanger has been one of the exceptions. Every year they have made substantial contributions to help TPFH stay viable, helping us to continue to accomplish our mission of having ceramic tile in as many Habitat for Humanity homes as possible. On behalf of TPFH, I want to thank Jonathan and the leaders at Walker Zanger for supporting us."

TPFH’s mission 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. For more information on how you can become a sponsor of Tile Partners for Humanity, please contact Lynn Labuda at 678-366-1815 or Lynn.Labuda@tpfh.com, or visit our website at www.tpfh.com.

The theme of 2009 was change and as we all know change is continual. We want to change the extent of our outreach to strengthen more communities, families and individuals. Tile Partners for Humanity is the tile industry’s charitable organization, and the only model of its kind within Habitat for Humanity where an entire industry has united together to make a difference in communities and lives.

One other rewarding experience of Coverings—its relationship with Tile Partners for Humanity— extends beyond the scope of the industry itself, impacting hundreds of men, women and children in life-changing ways. At the same time, this alliance provides a decidedly “green” solution for companies with mandates for eco-responsible practices.

TPFH, which was founded in 2003, is a partnership between the tile industry and Habitat for Humanity International, a nonprofit organization working to eliminate substandard housing around the world. Industry partners provide tile, setting materials, tools, floor preparation materials, cleaners and sealers, labor and installation training to Habitat affiliates interested in building with tile. Since the organization’s inception, it has provided more than $17 million worth of tile and related product to those in need, both through Habitat for Humanity projects and other charitable organizations. And through the years, Coverings and its exhibitors have played a pivotal role in fostering both TPFH’s growth and reach.

 “Coverings has proven to be an amazing partner for Tile Partners for Humanity,” said Lynn Labuda, executive director of TPFH. “Since we began working with the show, Coverings has always been willing to assist in any way it can, whether it be with monetary donations, space for our booth on the show floor, or helping TPFH to increase visibility with attendees at Coverings.”

TPFH was born of founder Curt Rapp’s desire to find a better way to supply tile to Habitat for Humanity.  Rapp became familiar with the organization during his career at Home Depot, where he headed up the company’s tile and stone business. Upon leaving the retail chain in 2000, Rapp launched Tiledoctor.com, a Web site dedicated to providing information and how-to tips on working with tile. It was there that he was contacted by HFH.

“Habitat for Humanity felt strongly that tile was the most desirable flooring material for its projects, given its longevity and durability, but it hadn’t historically been able to secure tile in a consistent and dependable fashion,” said Rapp. “The organization wanted to come up with a better way to make tile available for HFH projects.” Recognizing that he could draw on the many relationships he’d built with tile manufacturers over the years, Rapp chartered Tile Partners for Humanity and had a vision, as well, for involving Coverings. “I knew the show could play an integral role in helping the cause.”  To that end, Rapp approached Coverings’ executive directors to present his brainchild and offer them positions on TPFH’s board. Coverings enthusiastically approved the idea, and the partnership was up and running.

The 2004 Coverings show in Orlando, FL, marked the first collaboration between the international expo and TPFH. That year, Habitat for Humanity’s Orlando chapter received all of the uninstalled tile from the show floor, which was used in the construction of houses in Orlando’s needy communities. Since then, tile from successive Coverings events has found its way to a range of underprivileged communities and disaster relief efforts. In 2008, for example, five trailer trucks of donated goods were sent to Virginia to respond to an immediate rebuilding need that arose during the show’s run, when a swath of tornadoes tore through the state, destroying scores of homes. Other TPFH donations include materials to rebuild 400 homes destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, and a project currently underway to rebuild 300 homes decimated by devastating earthquakes in Indonesia.

“There are literally tens of thousands of square feet of tile that come out of Coverings, which in the past were simply thrown away,” said Eric Astrachan, Executive Director of the Tile Council of North America and a Coverings board member. “The association of Coverings with Tile Partners for Humanity makes  good sense because it offers exhibitors a sustainable solution for disposing of their unused materials and at the same time repurposes them into projects that have an incredibly positive impact on the lives of those in need.”

In fact, since TPFH’s inception, the organization has diverted to disaster relief and other urgent needs between $12-$14 million worth of product that would otherwise have been earmarked for landfills.

“TPFH is a great partner for manufacturers who need to ramp up their sustainability efforts. By helping them to channel product that would otherwise end up landfills to deserving causes, we can provide them with a great green story to tell,” said Rapp.

Beyond the truckloads of tile and stone that the show donates each year, Coverings also holds the elite distinction of being TPFH’s largest financial donor, providing a substantial portion of the funds necessary to keep the organization running and to facilitate its various humanitarian efforts.  “Our biggest challenge is soliciting financial donations,” said Rapp. ”Product donations are clearly vital to our mission, but financial support is a crucial component necessary to keep the wheels turning.”

Clearly, manufacturers who are donors and patrons of TPFH have realized their “return on investment” in ways that extend above and beyond the so-called bottom line.

“Partnering with TPFH has helped us to tangibly fulfill our company’s long-held commitment to giving back to the communities where our products are sold, and where we operate our facilities,” said Ed Metcalf, president of the North American division of Laticrete International, a donor of materials, labor and financial contributions to TPFH, and one of the organization’s original sponsors.  
“As TPFH works to provide homeowners with durable and low maintenance tile floors, we know that their work is improving the daily lives of people in need. We feel good about our part in helping them to do that. And helping to ensure that product that would likely have been disposed of instead is put to such meaningful use is a huge plus.”

 TPFH is already gearing up for this year’s Coverings show, to be held

April 27-30 in Orlando, FL, at the Orange County Convention Center, where the organization will once again collect excess tile and related materials and ensure their distribution to a range of worthy causes throughout the region.

To learn more about TPFH and how to become an industry partner, or to make an online donation, visit www.tpfh.com. 

About Coverings

Coverings is the premier international trade fair and expo dedicated exclusively to showcasing the newest in ceramic tile and natural stone. It has grown to be the largest and most important show of its kind in the U.S., featuring exhibitors from more than 50 countries and attracting thousands of distributors, retailers, fabricators, contractors and specifiers, architectural and design professionals, builders and real estate developers, plus the press and journalists who cover this vital and dynamic industry. Coverings is the stage for introducing some of the most innovative tile and stone products in the world. The exposition also serves as a valuable resource for continuing education for all categories of attendees, with informative, accredited seminars and live demonstration sessions conducted throughout the four days and all free of charge.