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Ask an architect, general contractor or anyone who installs windows in California what brand of windows you should buy for your home and most will respond, without hesitation, Milgard Windows. So, when I started knocking on doors seeking the donation of windows for our tiny houses, I stopped at Milgard’s window factory and showroom in Temecula.  Fortunately, I met Tammy Bartlett in the showroom.  I explained why I was there, and Tammy told me to send her the details for the windows we needed and she would present my request to her MITER Foundation Outreach Team Members who determine the projects [...]

Jon Hill of the AGC Apprenticeship Program reached out to Milwaukee Tool Territory Manager Claudell Anderson and asked him if Milwaukee could donate tools for our San Marcos High School Design Build Team. Claudell came through with tape measures, speed squares, utility knives, jig saw blades, reciprocating saw blades, gloves, high visibility vests and safety glasses. I’m pretty sure that Milwaukee Tool’s support gave our students just enough extra conficence to win the Rookie Team of the Year Award! Thank you Claudell!  

Onyx Building Group, Inc. is one of Southern California's premier drywall and exterior building skin contractors.  They specialize in drywall, metal framing, lath and plaster, fireproofing, and air/vapor barriers in the Western United States. ONYX sponsored San Marcos High School’s team at the SoCal Design Build Competition® last month.  ONYX CEO/President Nicole Caya-Winfield was “thrilled to have sponsored San Marcos High School!  Your hard work and dedication truly paid off, earning you the Rookie Team of the Year Award.  Well done to everyone involved!”  Thank You Nicole!

If you are tired of reading stories about how awesome Weyerhaeuser is, don’t blame me.  Weyerhaeuser keeps donating materials to our schools.  Most recently, they delivered a large quantity of decking material to San Pasqual High School.  Teacher Brandon Tarrac knows his way around a forklift and was able to unload the materials himself.  Poway High School teacher Gene Tallon taught us that there are many projects woodworking students can build from decking material, besides decks (e.g. Adirondack chairs, bookcases, tables, planter boxes, etc).  The material is strong and weather proof and can be crafted with standard woodworking tools. Thank you [...]

Squinting in the sun, despite standing in the shadow of their Moveable Tiny House, three of our construction students at San Marcos High School (SMHS) posed with the entry door and pocket door donated by T.M. Cobb that they will install in their tiny house. The entry door is a 2' 8'' x 6' 8'' S2600-LE Smooth- Star - Flush Glazed Fiberglass Door - Internal Blind Low E - IS- 1 (Right Hand) 1 Inswing door.  In layman’s terms, this means that it is a beautiful, strong, energy efficient door with an internal blind that can be closed for privacy or [...]

Craig Dawson of The Pelletier Company arranged for the donation of entry doors and bathroom doors from T.M. Cobb for the first two houses we built at San Marcos High School (SMHS).  I reached out to Craig again, asking him if he could arrange the donation of T.M. Cobb doors again for our first two Moveable Tiny Houses to be built at SMHS and San Pasqual High School in Escondido.  I discovered that The Pelletier Company is now Pellco Windows & Doors.  The name has changed, but it is still the same great company with amazing people and a great selection [...]

Stephanie Graham, Store Manager of Ferguson’s Vista store, donated plumbing fixtures for our first two houses.  We installed a Ferguson kitchen sink and a vanity in the cottage we donated to Wounded Warrior Homes. I asked Stephanie if Ferguson could donate plumbing supplies for our tiny houses.  She came through with a $5,000 store credit for us through Ferguson Cares.  She coordinated our first order with Tom Corr, Branch Manager for Ferguson’s Carlsbad store, who supplied rough plumbing supplies for our first two tiny houses.  We will be spending more of Ferguson’s generous store credit in the coming months.  Thanks Ferguson! [...]

Baker Electric delivers innovative electrical construction projects, specialty services, and renewable energy solutions across all market sectors.  Their experience includes projects in healthcare, education, hospitality/gaming, multifamily housing, solar power, public works and more.  Baker Electric has relied on the leadership of 4 generations of the Baker family. President and CEO Ted Baker created an employee stock ownership plan.  He believes that when Baker team members own the company, they in turn take care of their company and work hard to make it better.  Baker also believes that employees can make communities better through volunteering and supports the participation of Diane Barrios [...]