National Construction Charity Group Begins Renovations on Nonprofit Headquarters

Construction charity organization AGC Charities, Inc. began work this week on renovations to the main facility of a Palm Springs area group that supports children and adults with disabilities as part of its annual Operation Opening Doors event. Dozens of contractors are donating time, expertise and money to make a series of improvements to the headquarters of Angel View.

“We are using our skills to make life a little easier and a lot more accessible for people with disabilities,” said Jim Clemens, chairman of Ocean City, N.J.-based Clemens Construction Co. and the chairman of AGC Charities. “Our members are committed to building a better quality of life for the Coachella Valley's disabled community.”

The improvements include transforming Angel View's existing courtyard into an outdoor, wheelchair-accessible therapy area, replacing doors and wainscot damaged by wheelchairs and installing wainscot in a new wing. In addition, the group hopes to install a sunshade in the drop-off area to protect clients from the sweltering summer sun. The charitable group is teaming up with San Diego-based Hensel Phelps, which has volunteered to serve as the lead contractor for the charitable effort, as well as ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, which is providing design and landscape services to the courtyard renovation.

In addition to Hensel Phelps and ValleyCrest Landscape Companies, Clemens noted that other local contractors supporting the project include Alonso Painting, Granite Construction and Brady Companies. The project has also received financial support from national AGC members, like Flatiron Construction Corp.

“We are incredibly appreciative of AGC Charities" efforts on our behalf,” said Dave Thornton, executive director of Angel View. “The enhancements to our facilities will benefit clients of our therapeutic day program for adults with developmental disabilities. It's a joy to work with organizations like AGC who use their skills and expertise to improve the lives of others.”

Clemens said the AGC Charities group conducted fundraising to cover the cost of the materials needed to renovate the facility. He noted that the charitable group was established five years ago to channel and support the charitable efforts of the construction community. He added that the group held previous national Operation Opening Doors projects in Washington, D.C., Honolulu, Orlando and Las Vegas.