BUFFALO, NY – The Buffalo-area construction industry came out in strong numbers recently to enjoy some friendly competition and raise money for a great cause.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Buffalo Niagara chapter held a Tap Takeover event at Resurgence Brewing Company in Buffalo. Hundreds of workers, representatives, and friends from across the industry were on hand as teams from John W. Danforth Company, one of the largest mechanical contractors in the northeast, and Buffalo Construction Consultants battled it out for tap supremacy. Guest bartenders from each company competed against one another to see which team could raise the most tip money, with all proceeds from the event going to the NAWIC Buffalo Niagara 2024 Scholarship Fund.
When all of the drinks were poured and the tips tabulated, the Danforth team rose to the top, beating the Buffalo Construction Consultants team. In all, the event raised more than $14,000.
Building Pathways
“The Tap Takeover event was a lot of fun with a big dose of camaraderie and some friendly competition, but it was all about continuing to build pathways for women to pursue careers in the construction industry,” said Michelle Gerace, Service Manager, Western New York at Danforth, and Recording Secretary of the NAWIC Buffalo Niagara Board of Directors. “Everyone who was at the event shares a commitment to making our industry stronger by making sure we are introducing the benefits of a career in construction to more people, especially younger people and women.”
In addition to the hot competition between Danforth and Buffalo Construction Consultants and the cold drinks enjoyed by those who attended, the event also featured several cool raffles and prizes, including a set of Milwaukee tools.
The winning team consisted of Danforth co-workers Gerace, Christina Kramarz, Deanna Gokey, Kelly Cancilla, and Krystal Yernye.
NAWIC Scholarship Fund
The NAWIC Buffalo Niagara Scholarship Fund helps provide scholarships for Western New York women enrolled in or preparing to enroll in a trade program or certificate-related program for the skilled trades.
NAWIC provides its members with opportunities for professional development, education, networking, leadership training, public service and more. The Buffalo Niagara NAWIC chapter was chartered in 2021.
John W. Danforth
Founded in Buffalo in 1884, Danforth has more than 1,000 employees across a geographic footprint that includes its Western New York headquarters and operations in Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany, New York, and Columbus, Ohio. The company works collaboratively with its union labor partners including the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters, the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation (SMART) Workers, and several other labor partners across many local union jurisdictions throughout the northeast and beyond. Danforth operates an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, giving the company’s workforce an ownership stake in the company.