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Industry Helps Supplier Rep After House Fire

Suppliers and distributors helped a fellow promo pro after a Thanksgiving weekend house fire.

Thanksgiving weekend turned into a nightmare for Rick Dolan and his family.

They suffered a house fire that caused considerable damage to their Missouri home. Thankfully, nobody was hurt. “We all are safe, healthy and fortunate due to the quick actions of our local fire department,” said Dolan, field sales manager at Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America (PCNA, asi/78897).

Karl Whiteside (right) of Brand Addition presents a check to Polyconcept’s Rick Dolan and his wife Treasa

Karl Whiteside (right) of Brand Addition presents a check to Polyconcept’s Rick Dolan and his wife Treasa after their Missouri home was considerably damaged in a fire.

The promotional products industry quickly mobilized to help one of its own.

Upon learning of the house fire, Karl Whiteside, U.S. managing director for Brand Addition (asi/202515), sprang into action. Whiteside immediately reached out to Top 40 supplier SanMar (asi/84863) to provide the Dolan family with clothing. In addition, a fundraiser for the family was organized by Whiteside and the team at Brand Addition, as well as Chuck Fandos, chief strategy officer of The Pebble Group, the Manchester, U.K.-headquartered parent company of Facilisgroup and Brand Addition.

“This type of action reflects the character, partnership, integrity and friendship extended from Karl Whiteside, Chuck Fandos, the Brand Addition team and our entire industry,” Dolan said.

Whiteside was able to present Dolan and his wife Treasa with a generous check from the fundraiser. “While we're not surprised by their generosity, we are truly honored to partner with such caring and selfless individuals that won't hesitate to go above and beyond for another industry family during a difficult time,” said Ashley McCune, president of Facilisgroup, which helped in the fundraising effort. “This act of kindness reflects directly on the values of these amazing organizations and their employees.”