McCarthy Employees Honored for Volunteer Efforts

A group of volunteers from Newport Beach's McCarthy Building Cos. were recently recognized for rolling up their sleeves to help improve the lives of local veterans.

The McCarthy Heart Hats—the company's volunteer group—received a OneOC Spirit of Volunteerism Award at this month's 36th annual Spirit of Volunteerism Awards Luncheon, which is the oldest awards program in Orange County. McCarthy was selected for the accolade by Veterans First, a non-profit rehabilitation facility that provides assistance to needy veterans in Orange County, for the work the Heart Hats did at a veteran's home in Anaheim.

More than a dozen McCarthy volunteers hung drywall, painted, installed carpet, kitchen appliances and bathroom fixtures at the home. Ray LaTour, IT Manager at McCarthy who served in the U.S. Navy and helped with the Veterans First site improvements, accepted the Spirit of Volunteerism Award on behalf of McCarthy and said the volunteers were glad to assist in the project.

“I understand how difficult it is to function in today’s society when you are physically challenged, and it’s even more difficult in a challenging economy," LaTour said. "I’m glad to be a part of helping my fellow comrades to get back on their feet and make a better life for themselves.”

The Heart Hats also built an outdoor shed, cleaned up the yard and did other landscape improvements, while other McCarthy employees donated more than 28 new mattresses and box-spring sets, and others gave sheets, blankets and other bedding to the military veterans.