When it comes to good corporate citizenship, 84 Lumber has built its reputation from the ground up.
In 2016 alone, 84 Lumber donated more than 1.3 million to a variety of charitable causes, including the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation (MWRIF), through its Building Hope program.
How does that happen? It starts with the employees at each of its 250+ locations and is embraced by leadership. Throughout the company, there is a commitment to help those individuals and organizations most in need, and a vision for making a positive impact. When deciding which organizations and events to support, “first and foremost, we take a look at our associates and our customers and try to determine the best investments that we can make to benefit them and their loved ones,” says Ashley Macik, 84 Lumber Public Relations Manager. “Since we are an organization that spans the country, we are interested in supporting causes that will positively impact the nation and even the world, and supporting research that can lead to breakthroughs in health care.”
84 Lumber has a long history with MWRIF. Since 1999, the company has sponsored events and fundraisers including the Magee’s Celebration of Women, Magee’s birthday party at Kennywood, The Twenty-Five Club of Magee-Womens Hospital, and Savor Pittsburgh. “Magee is a leader in women’s health in the Greater Pittsburgh area, and the organization has touched the lives of many of our associates, customers, and their families and loved ones,” Ashley said. “In the medical and research community, 84 Lumber recognizes that there are challenges that cannot be overcome without community and corporate partnerships, so we are proud to support research that will result in health care improvements.”
84 Lumber has been a dedicated supporter of Women Who Rock, the annual benefit concert dedicated to empowering Women in Music through educational workshops, performance opportunities and networking events that raise funds for women’s and infant’s health research. They have a special connection to the event: their owner and president, Maggie Hardy Magerko, is a woman who rocks in the corporate world.
“She is passionate, dedicated, and fearlessly committed to success. Maggie took over the leadership of 84 Lumber in 1992 from her father and company founder, Joseph A. Hardy III, at an age when most women are just starting their career. At 26, she was showing her business smarts and proving her toughness. Under Maggie’s leadership, 84 Lumber is a nationally certified Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) company and was named on Forbes 2016 and 2017 Lists of America’s 250 Best Midsize Employers. Maggie created a department, Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), within 84 Lumber with the goal to proudly represent our organization as a woman-owned business.” With an inspiring woman leading the organization, it was a natural fit. “We saw this event as an opportunity to support and advocate for other strong, accomplished, fearless women for a great cause,” Ashley explained.
Women Who Rock was an invigorating experience for all, from performers to attendees to supporters. For those attendees from 84 Lumber, “it was wonderful to see an all-female line-up of talented musicians, and incredible to hear the stories of women who have been supported and strengthened by the work that Magee-Women’s Research Institute is doing and to know that 84 Lumber has the privilege of contributing to making a difference in women’s health. You could feel the energy and the fun in the room, and also the admiration that the women in attendance had for one another and their passion for women’s health care. We believe the most important part of the event is community, and how it encourages both corporate and personal advocacy for women’s health.”
What does the future hold for 84 Lumber and its partnership with MWRIF? As Ashley put it, “We pride ourselves on maintaining the spirit and values that 84 Lumber was founded upon, while evolving and growing to address the challenges the construction industry faces today. Maggie’s energetic approach and aggressive goals have been critical success factors in 84 Lumber’s operation and growth. She strikes a delicate balance between maintaining 84 Lumber’s traditional approach to doing business, and adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers.” As the challenges and environments changes, “she is committed to the success of our company and associates, while providing heartfelt support to our associates, their families, and her own family.” Supporting women and their families and communities through the Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation is part of what makes it such an inspiring corporate citizen, and part of what makes 84 Lumber rock.