Philanthropic building firm donated services for Ashley’s Place and Freeman Hall
ANDOVER, Conn., August 30, 2014 – KBE Building Corp. has proudly unveiled a long-awaited addition to Connecticut’s beloved WFSB Channel 3 Kids Camp: Ashley’s Place, a 4,400-square-foot dorm-style cabin for children with disabilities.
The Channel 3 Kids Camp is a non-profit organization that has served Connecticut children for more than 100 years. Located on nearly 200 acres in Andover and Coventry, Connecticut, it offers daytime, overnight, and afterschool programs to meet many needs.
Ashley’s Place was built in remembrance of special needs child Ashley Leveillee. The cabin provides 24-hour nursing care that promises an inclusive summer camp experience for children with mental, physical, and socioeconomic special needs.
Working with architect BL Companies, KBE completed the project, a labor of love for the past three years. “I’m proud that KBE helped build Ashley’s Place,” said KBE President and principal owner Mike Kolakowski. “We’re helping future generations of special needs children enjoy the legendary Channel 3 camp experience.”
In recognition of his dedication, WFSB recently appointed Kolakowski to the camp’s Board of Directors. His term runs through summer 2017. “It’s such an honor to serve on the Board. As a parent myself, I want to see all children be able to enjoy the fun of summer camp.”
Kolakowski and KBE Building Corporation’s involvement with the Kids Camp began in 2011, with the renovation of the Jennifer L. Hawke-Petit Health Lodge. KBE provided both a financial donation and construction management services to support the 1,000-square-foot renovation project. The firm also engaged a select group of trade contractors who donated their time and portion of the construction costs to the project.
KBE also donated construction management services for the comprehensive remodel and addition to Freeman Hall, which provides sleeping quarters for campers. The 4,500-square-foot project started in April 2014 and was completed in July. The newly renovated building is capable of housing Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) personnel in addition to providing additional beds and amenities for campers.
The following sub-contractors have donated a portion of their contract for Freeman Hall: KBE Building Corp., Arena Construction, Landie Construction, Elite, Innovative Millwork, Collins & Company, Daniels Caulking, Builders Hardware, Apex Tile, Christiano & Sons Painting, C&A Distributors, Allstate Sprinkler, Gem Mechanical, & 1st Choice Electrical.
All of KBE’s donations at the Channel 3 Kids Camp are part of the firm’s corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make a Difference. Established in 2009 to celebrate the firm’s new ownership, name change, and 50 years in business, 50 Ways has helped KBE associates donate more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to benefit children, seniors, and military veterans in Connecticut and Maryland. This year’s beneficiaries are students in Connecticut’s technical high school system.
About KBE Building Corporation
Regionally located in Farmington, Conn., and Columbia, Md., KBE Building Corporation is a full-service, single-source commercial construction company strategically positioned to serve the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1966, the firm is celebrating its 55th year providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the educational, senior living, federal, corporate, hospitality, health care, institutional, and retail markets. KBE has managed more than $2.5 billion in construction volume over the last decade and is ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine’s top 400 construction companies nationally. Learn more at www.kbebuilding.com.
Media Contact: Jonelle Lawhorn | KBE Director of Marketing
t: 860.284.7431| c: 860.836.7517 | f: 860.284.7831 | e: jlawhorn@kbebuilding.com