Giving back is more than a value at the Master Builders Association of Pierce County (MBAPC); it’s a responsibility. As a leading construction and building industry association serving the South Sound, our members and councils are committed to strengthening the communities where we live and work.

Throughout the year, Master Builders Pierce partnered with local schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to support students, families, and neighbors facing real challenges. From addressing food insecurity and homelessness to investing in workforce development and safe housing, our members continue to make a meaningful impact across Pierce County.

Supporting Local Students in Pierce County

One of the most impactful ways MBAPC gives back is by supporting local students. This year, the association adopted three students from Fife High School, helping fulfill their winter needs with essential items such as blankets, backpacks, and hygiene supplies. These contributions helped ensure students felt supported, prepared, and cared for during the colder months.

Supporting students today helps strengthen Pierce County’s future workforce, especially within the construction and skilled trades industries.

Community Coat Drive for Tacoma School District

Homelessness remains a growing challenge across the South Sound. To help address this need, MBAPC hosted a community coat drive benefiting the Tacoma School District, which serves more than 2,400 homeless students.

In partnership with Tacoma Pierce County REALTORS® and the Tacoma Education Dream Fund, the drive collected and distributed over 500 jackets to students in need. These donations provided warmth, comfort, and dignity to students facing housing instability during the winter months.

Fighting Food Insecurity in the South Sound

Food insecurity is another issue affecting families throughout Pierce County. MBAPC partnered with York Enterprises to donate 1,175 pounds of food to local families and community organizations.

By supporting food banks and relief efforts, our members helped ensure families across the South Sound had access to nutritious meals during times of need.

Council-Led Giving Back Initiatives

MBAPC councils also played a vital role in supporting local nonprofits and workforce development programs.

Remodelers Council

The Remodelers Council donated $2,420 to Rebuilding Together South Sound, an organization dedicated to repairing homes, revitalizing communities, and helping individuals and families live safely and independently in their homes.

Emerging Professionals Council

The Emerging Professionals Council raised $660 for the Pierce County Skills Center, providing tools and tool belts for graduating seniors enrolled in construction trades programs. These resources help students transition from education to careers in the building industry.

Professional Women in Building Council

The Professional Women in Building Council raised $1,000 for Building Beyond the Walls in Buckley. In addition, members donated materials and volunteer time to construct changing rooms at the Girl Scouts of Western Washington camp, creating lasting improvements that will serve campers for years to come.

Building a Stronger Pierce County Together

These initiatives reflect the heart of the MBAPC and the dedication of our members. Giving back is not just about donations. It’s about showing up, investing locally, and building a stronger, more resilient Pierce County.

We are proud to support the communities that support our industry and grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact throughout the South Sound.

Communications Director Bailee Butcher

Master Builders Association of Pierce County partners with our member and community partner United Way of Pierce County to assist local students with snacks this summer.

In Pierce County, over 18% of students are food insecure meaning they do not have access to sufficient food to meet their basic needs. These kids during the school year, have access to free or reduced lunches to give them at least one full meal a day. Once summer hits, their main access to food is cut off.

Master Builders Pierce is hosting a Snack Pack Drive to fill at least 100 packs for local students facing food insecurity.

How you can help

We need to collect non-perishable snack items to fill these packs. Here are some items you can donate:

• Granola bars
• Fruit snacks
• Goldfish crackers
• Chips
• Fruit leather
• Apple sauce pouch
• Milk or juice
• Trail mix

We are collecting donations from May 8- June 19. Please bring all donations to the Master Builders Association of Pierce County office at 3711 Center St. Tacoma, WA 98409. If you have any questions or would like to offer help stuffing the packs, please contact Communications Director Bailee Butcher at bwicks@masterbuilderspierce.com.

The Master Builders Association of Pierce County proudly partners with the Pierce County Skills Center’s construction trades program to support and mentor the next generation of skilled trades workers.

The Master Builders Association – Pierce County Skills Center Donation

The 250 tools, donated from November to the first week in January, give all graduating seniors in the construction trades program a full toolbelt to take with them after graduation to start their career.

“It is important that we as an industry are investing in our future workforce,” said 2023 Master Builders President Chris Lockhart. “I hope the students are able to find their passion in the trades and that the tools equip them for success.”

The Pierce County Skills Center Construction Trades program is a State of Washington approved pre-apprenticeship program designed to teach entry-level construction skills and knowledge. The course covers both residential and commercial construction with an emphasis on job site safety. The goals of the course are to prepare students for direct entry into an apprenticeship by meeting rigorous academic and industry standards. 

“Our partnerships with the Master Builders Association of Pierce County goes beyond the tool donation,” added Director of the Pierce County Skills Center Scott Martin. “Their mission to serve the best interest for their community is positively affecting the students, school, staff and families.”

For more information on the tool donation or workforce development efforts, please contact Advocacy Associate Alex Harrington at aharrington@masterbuilderspierce.com.

Master Builders Pierce County Scholarships

Applicant must be a Pierce County resident, at least a graduating high school senior, applying to an accredited vocational school, two-year community, four-year college or university. Applicants must be pursuing a degree by taking multiple courses in a field of study that enhances their education and benefits the building trades. Such fields may include association management, government affairs, architecture, engineering, business or interior design, plumbing, painting, remodeling, building or other housing-related studies.

Applicants should receive confirmation when their submission has been received. For Master Builders Pierce County scholarships, do not forget to attach at least two letters of recommendation and school transcripts. If you have any questions regarding 2023 scholarships, please contact Master Builders Pierce County Staff at bwicks@masterbuilderspierce.com.

Thank you to everyone who supported the cause. We could not do it without your mentorships and donations of time and money.

Dessert Dash History

Back in 2008, the recession tightened the budget and the scholarship fund was nearly exhausted. The dessert dash was formed to help the scholarship fund and has grown in the past 14 years from $650 to $16,254 in 2021.

We are ecstatic to announce we surpassed that with $25,882 this year. This money will be invested in the next generation of workers and programs that support our industry.

Scholarships

Master Builders Pierce County encourages young professionals to consider and pursue a career in the home building industry. We hope Master Builders awards motivate and inspire students to further their education in this field.

Master Builders Scholarships open in February 2023. Please check out the scholarship requirements on the website to apply.

For more information on scholarships or grants, please contact Communications Director Bailee Butcher at bwicks@masterbuilderspierce.com. 

Bailee Butcher, Communications Director

This year, Master Builders Pierce partnered with the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center in Tacoma to support the hundreds of kids and families who utilize their services. 

Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center (MCFHC) is a non-profit human services agency. Their mission is to provide culturally relevant support services to children and families through daycare, ECEAP and DSHS contracted services. A positive relationship between teacher and student is an important factor in the social, emotional and academic development of a child and their center strives to ensure this balance.

How you can help

The Multicultural Center receives gifts and donated toys to give the children a great Christmas, but struggle with donations of necessities and items children need year-round. So, in our 2022 Donation drive, we are accepting in-person donations of socks, coats and underwear of various children’s sizes.

All donations will be accepted at the Master Builders office at 3711 Center Street Tacoma, WA. This donation drive runs from November 1 through December 19. Please drop off donations within business hours: Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you have any questions on how you can donate, please contact Communications Director Bailee Butcher at bwicks@masterbuilderspierce.com.

When 2017 PR Committee chairs Amy Hoyte of Rebuilding Together South Sound and Billie Jo Hyland of Hyland Cabinetworks needed to come up with a booth for the Tacoma Home & Garden Show, they knew they wanted something that reached beyond the trade show. They met with the CTE Director John Page and Lincoln High School instructor Kevin Smith to discuss the possibilities. What they found was a similar need – builders want more young people entering the trade and students want to learn more about the industry and get connected with mentors and future employers.

The structure that could build the relationship? A vegetable stand. 

Thanks to donations by Master Builders Association of Pierce County members, Gray Lumber Company, Phase II, Legends Roofing, Parr Lumber, York Enterprises, Hyland Cabintworks, The Truss Company and Rebuilding Together South Sound, Lincoln High School was able to get all the materials needed to start construction on the vegetable stand. The produce will be grown at Lincoln High School with Abe’s Golden Acres horticulture program. Once the stand is complete, it will be student-run by Summer Jobs 253. 

Master Builders Takes Them to the Garden Show

The beginning phases of the stand were on display at the Tacoma Home and Garden show, promoting the community partnership with Master Builders, the students putting in the work and the wonderful donors who made it all possible. 

Proceeds from the stand as well as fruits and vegetables grown at Abe’s Golden Acres will also go to the St. Leo Food Connection. Master Builders Association of Pierce County is proud to be a part of this multifaceted partnership, helping students learn valuable life skills, encouraging careers in the building industry and giving back to the community.