Dalton, Ga.—The Nebraska Iowa Floor Covering Association (NIFCA) board, a local affiliate of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), voted to disband its organization after 22 years of operation.
“NIFCA was established in 1995,” said Chris Nordin, president of NIFCA. “To have a local association for that long would not have been possible without the support of our members and from the World Floor Covering Association. I would also like to thank all the past and present board members which have worked tirelessly to make this organization a success.”
The NIFCA board voted to donate the remaining funds, $25,135, to the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), a nonprofit organization that assists families in the industry who are suffering from catastrophic illness or severe disability.
Nordin was proud that the funds were able to honor two individuals who left their mark on the industry.
“The gift could not have come at a better time,” said Andrea Blackbourn, executive director of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation, who was excited that the foundation was chosen as the recipient of the funds. “We set an ambitious goal of $650,000 in revenue this year, which is up $150,000 over last year. The gift from the Nebraska Iowa Floor Covering Association makes a nice dent in our goal.”
One of the FCIF grant recipients who volunteered to share her story is Melissa Taylor. After her diagnosis of breast cancer in 2017, Melissa quickly realized the financial burden of this disease. “You never think to budget for cancer,” she said. Her rare and rapidly growing cancer required frequent, aggressive treatments, so she had to take time off from work. A 23-year veteran of the floor covering industry, Melissa has worked the past 13 years in claims and customer communications at a manufacturing facility.
After a year of rigorous treatments and doctor visits, Melissa is now in remission. She has returned to work and learned not to take life for granted. “My grandkids, God and the Floor Covering Industry Foundation gave me the strength to push through this difficult time.”