NARI Cares Completes Renovation on CHC’s Mobile Wellness and Donation Center

It’s a lot of fun to talk about renos, paint colors and finishes, but when the upgrades hold a higher purpose, that conversation is priceless.

That’s what The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has done with the launch of its philanthropic arm, NARI Cares, aimed at connecting members with opportunities to make a direct impact in the community. Their first project has been an all-hands-on-deck effort benefitting Children Helping Children (CHC), a local nonprofit empowering youth to help other kids.

Their job: fully renovating CHC’s newly purchased Airstream, dubbed the LOVETRAIN. This groovy, rainbow-wrapped trailer isn’t just eye-catching, it’s CHC’s mobile wellness and donation center.

The LOVETRAIN will travel to schools, festivals and wellness centers as a mobile collection center for other nonprofit organizations and charity efforts, where kids and teens will assemble in-kind donations while participating in art therapy and wellness initiatives. This represents a brand-new way to get more donations at a collection site packed with contagious energy.

“NARI Cares has graciously offered to single-handedly build out the construction of our LOVETRAIN, providing full labor and most of the materials needed for the build,” said Michelle Hodgson, founder of CHC. “They’ve become a model of what any for-profit company could do—using their skills to make a powerful impact on the community. An impact that we are so thankful for!”

Jeff Hanlon, of Granite and Marble Solutions and project manager for NARI Cares, shared that this was actually the biggest philanthropic challenge for NARI Cares to date. “This took two years, a lot of creative problem solving and tons of people with very unique skill sets to bring this vision to life,” he said. “It’s been a great representation of what happens when a bunch of renovators put their collective heads together to come up with some really creative solutions. It really says a lot about the businesses in Atlanta.”

CHC also credits Diablo Tools and Construction Resources as their biggest sponsors as well as Tran Bui, who is helping document the journey through video. Other partners include co-project manager Buddy Wofford of Authentic Hardwood Flooring as well as Against The Grain WoodTops and many other Airstream experts, welders, electricians and home industry experts. To see the full list of who helped bring this Airstream back to life, visit nariatlanta.org/nari-cares.

The LOVETRAIN has already made a few stops around town, but if you want a chance to see it for yourself (and participate in the philanthropic mission), stop in for the Dec. 4 Winter Lovefest at Bob Steele Salon Riverside!

Visit chcatlanta.org to stay up to date on the Airstream renovations and learn how you can help. 

(Pictured: CHC Sponsor Diablo Tools)