Zettler started the Freedom Foundation from his business about four years ago to help with local giving, particularly area schools. “When the COVID situation came along, it made sense to collect money along with our sales to help with this crisis,” he says. “The response was just overwhelming.”
In the two-month period of April and May, Tru-Bilt donated a portion of each building sold to the COVID relief effort, along with more than $11,000 contributed by its vendors, especially Ohio Timberland, an Ohio-based supplier of building columns.
The newly created Boys and Girls Club of Marion received a check for $2,500 from Tru-Bilt, June 16 on the Marion Tower Square.
The Boys and Girls Club of Marion is scheduled to open this fall. Zettler is pleased to see the Club opening in the town where his business is located and to be able to help it accomplish that goal.
Zettler says that while there was help for people and charities at this beginning of the crisis, several months have passed, and the follow-up efforts are very helpful to those still in need.
The remainder of the funds raised during Tru-Bilt’s campaign will be distributed to local charities identified with the help of Byram Fager with the Southern Illinois Community Foundation.