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NADRA Maryland Chapter DECK FOR A SOLDIER(tm) 2008
Staff Sgt. Brian Daughters, in Iraq

July 3rd marked the ribbon cutting ceremony on the just completed Deck for a Soldier (D4S) project through the NADRA Maryland Chapter. About 45 people were in attendance, including military personnel, volunteers and the family of National Guard Staff Sgt. Brian Daughters.

NADRA Board Member, Ray Steward of RWSDECKS, Inc. (Towson, Maryland) was general contractor for the project and was on hand for the ribbon cutting, along with Michael Beaudry, NADRA's Executive Vice President. "The effort we've put into this pales in comparison to the effort service men and women make on our behalf every day," said Steward.

Steward coordinated volunteers from the Maryland Chapter to obtain everything from labor, permits, materials, and other items like arranging for portable toilet, dumpster, and catering for the July 3rd unveiling. Dave Lombardo, (NADRA Maryland Chapter member) of American Decks volunteered time to cut and set the stringers for a semi-circular waterfall staircase. Bill Hensley, also of American Deck, did the risers and tread for that staircase, and according to Steward "cussed Dave L. the whole time" (Sorry Dave, take it up with Bill...). A good natured group of volunteers from the Maryland Chapter, including Steward's RWSDECKS crew built the deck, estimated at $20,000 in value, in six days.

The Daughters were chosen through a selection process conducted by the National Guard and NADRA, that included three criteria: the soldier's story, location of the home, and its suitability for a deck project.

Of the NADRA Maryland Chapter, Steward said that he was absolutely floored that so many members immediately stepped up to donate time and materials for this project. "At our inaugural meeting in May, I proposed that we do this project, thinking that it would be a great first event for a newly formed chapter. The work on D4S for the Daughters has been tremendously unifying for our chapter. Who can't stand behind this cause?"

Want to know more? Click HERE for televised coverage.

Click HERE for the story published in the Maryland Gazette


Many thanks to the Maryland Chapter for Donating Time and Materials!

Materials Donations from:

Complete framing package - Will of T.W. Perry

32 80 lb. bags Concrete - John at Stock Building Supply

4 tons of #57 white marble stone - Bryan of Snavely Forest Products

Dumpster and Porta-Potty - Tim Ellis of T.W. Ellis

Low voltage lighting package - Bill Hensley, American Deck franchise

Grill - Mike Windward of Timbertech

Deck Furniture including umbrella - Lauren of Timonium Maryland Lowes

Landscape materials (mulch and plantings) - Parksite (formerly known as PPW)

Catering for ribbon cutting - Sean Conway of American Deck - D.C. Metro

Beverages - Kirk Montague of American Deck Bayside

Hardscape materials (pavers and lattice skirt on deck) - Wendy of Leisure Specialties

Logoed T-Shirts - Trex (donated the lions share)

(but also co-op dollars of $500 each from Ed from Probuilt, RWSDECKS, and Snavely

Concrete - Stock Building Materials

Decking Trex Escapes Acorn (new type) - Snavely Forest Products (with Co-op Trex dollars through Alan Butterfield)

White vinyl railings called Endurance - Snavely Forest Products (with Co-op RDI dollars)

White vinyl trim - Azek through Parksite


The "Enlisted" volunteer labor:

RWSDECKS, Inc. crew, lead by Ray Steward (demolition and general construction)

American Deck, Inc. - Dave Lombardo (staircase)

American Deck Northwest - Bill Hensley (staircase)

Elite Decks and Outdoor Living crew, lead by Wayne and Brad (footings)

American Deck Bayside, Kirk Montague (framing)


North American Deck and Railing Association - P.O. Box 829, Quakertown, PA 18951 - Phone and Fax: 888.NADRA4U (888.623.7248)

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