SPEC MIX® Inc. Pledges Support to Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® World Championship Launches the Partnership
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – This year on MASONRY MADNESS™ Day held February 4th during the World of Concrete/World of Masonry tradeshow in Las Vegas, thousands of bricks will be laid in the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500® World Championship competition as masonry teams take on one another in a test of speed, skill and stamina. Widely recognized as the world’s largest construction trade event that invites competitors from around the globe, the 2015 World Championship will have a record 24 masons who will lay brick for 60-minutes to win the title, “World’s Best Bricklayer” and a FORD F250 4x4 Super Duty truck plus thousands in cash and prizes.
Now in the competition’s 13th year, this masonry industry favorite founded by SPEC MIX, Inc. will include a new addition that supports another worthy cause; to promote the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation. This non-profit was established to honor the sacrifices of military heroes by providing their children the financial resources required for a post-high school education. In an effort to raise awareness and much needed funds for the nearly 20,000 children enduring the loss of a parent killed in the line of duty or training, SPEC MIX, Inc. and CFPF have set up the “Support Our Heroes” Pledge Page on the foundation’s web site that makes the Championship event even more exciting. From start to finish, it’s estimated that the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 competitors will use over 15,000 brick to build their walls. This equates to 250 brick per minute! Based on a total brick count of 15,000, participants can pledge any value starting as low as one penny ($0.01) per brick. This amount is multiplied by 15,000 to determine the final dollar figure donated to the foundation, which means a one-cent pledge equals $150.00.
For people that would rather not make a “Pledge per Brick” they can donate a one-time amount of their choice. Either way, 100% of the donation goes directly to cover the educational costs such as tuition, books, housing, and living expenses billed to the families of fallen patriots.
“Providing an education to the children of military personnel that died while defending our freedom and country is an excellent way to pay tribute to their lives. That’s precisely the goal of Children of Fallen Patriots and the reason we chose to partner with the foundation and integrate their mission into the SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500®. Many people in the construction industry are willing to support and honor our military whenever, however possible—this initiative helps make it happen,” says Brian Carney, Vice President of SPEC MIX, Inc.
In addition to the pledge per brick contribution plan, leading up to the competition day SPEC MIX, Inc. is hosting an online auction that will rollover into the actual live event allowing SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500 spectators and webcast viewers the opportunity to purchase items that channels all the proceeds to raise money for CFPF. There will be numerous onsite opportunities for spectators to contribute to the goal of raising $50,000 for the foundation.
Nearly 60 percent of the children affected by the heartbreaking circumstances of losing an active-duty parent who died while serving our country are under the age of twelve. Even with benefits and other scholarships, the average “gap” per child is approximately $35,000 for four years of college. Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation is the bridge that closes that gap and SPEC MIX, Inc. has pledged their support to the foundation and is calling on the public and construction industry to join them in backing the cause.
To make a donation and learn more about Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation, please visit www.fallenpatriots.org. For more information on the 2015 SPEC MIX BRICKLAYER 500, visit www.specmixbricklayer500.com.