RAMCON Collects Toys For Tots!

“The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens.” Once again this year, RAMCON management and staff are happy to give back. RAMCON will to take part in the annual Toys For Tots Program by collecting new toys and books.

“Toys for tots Began in 1947, when Major Bill Hendricks, USCR and a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children.  The idea came from Bill’s wife, Diane.  In the fall of 1947, Diane crafted a homemade doll and asked Bill to deliver the doll to an organization, which would give it to a needy child at Christmas.  When Bill determined that no agency existed, Diane told Bill that he should start one.  He did.  The 1947 pilot project was so successful that the Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. The initial objective that remains the hallmark of the program today is to ‘bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children’.”

The team at RAMCON will be collecting toys in our corporate offices in Tampa through December 15th, and will be having them picked up on December 16th. There are many collection locations across the entire state, but if you would like to come visit the offices of RAMCON, and bring your new, unwrapped toy here, we will gladly get it to the Toys For Tots to be distributed to a local, less fortunate child.

For more information on Toys For Tots, visit www.ToysForTots.org.

A Time to Give Thanks (part 2)

So much to be thankful for!

1. Bing maps: The bird’s eye view is simply amazing.
2. Positivity: Makes for the best day ever.
3. No Dollar Limit warranties: Keeps manufacturer’s honest and backing their product.
4. NRCA: The oldest trade organization in the US.
5. Our teammates: The team here is as good as it gets.
6. ANSI/SPRI ES-1 code: Keeps roofs attached when the wind howls. 
7. 60’ ladders: How else can you climb that high? 
8. Toolbox safety talks: Cause we never want to make ‘that’ call to a loved one. 
9. CREW Tampa: Puts on an excellent fishing competition every year.
10. Lunch and Learns: Great times for interacting with you.
11. FindSolar.com: A solar system cost calculator, that’s wildly accurate.
12. Generosity: One of those things that is just as great to give, as it is to receive. 
13. Projects in the Keys: Starts a competition on who gets to do the survey.  
14. Falling gas prices:  Down to $3.29; high, but in the right direction.
15. Good ideas: Usually sporadic and come out of nowhere.
16. First day of winter: Finally, a relief from the heat.  
17. Referrals: What better way to say job well done?
18. Photos: Really are worth a thousand words. 
19. Walkway Pads: Helps prevent roof damage. Don’t have them? Get them!
20. Volunteering: It feels good to give back.
21. Training programs: At times mundane, yet always helpful.
22. Flexseal: Actually quite funny…but tested and doesn’t work long. 
23. Good looking buildings: Roofs aren’t exactly sexy, but a lot of buildings look good!
24. Yelp: It’s nice to see all the good things our customers say about us. 
25. Our loyal customers: Without you, nothing would be possible.

Great American Teach In

The Great American Teach In is an annual event where parents and volunteers visit local schools to speak about their jobs and hobbies. RAMCON was proud to be a part of the event this year. Our Service Director had the opportunity to speak to an elementary class yesterday, Thursday, November 17, 2011, about roofing and safety. With some fun activities, and sample roofing materials, the kids really had a great time. Below are some of the notes that were received from the students.

A Time To Give Thanks (part 1)

 
As we begin to wind down each year, we have an excellent opportunity to reflect on everything that we are so thankful for here at RAMCON. Therefore, here are 25 of the things we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving.

1. Toys For Tots: Every child needs to smile.
2. Solar panels at $1/watt: That’s right. First Solar, Inc. finally broke the barrier.
3. Our industry friends: We have remarkable friends and truly value them.
4. Google Earth: We now have accurate satellite images for double checking those dimensions.
5. Manufacturers who back what they sell: Need we say more?
6. Cellphone cameras: See what our techs are seeing, immediately.
7. The Bermuda high: Just keeps those hurricanes turning away from Florida.
8. Sunshine: It brightens the day and makes it safe for roof tear offs.
9. White: It keeps the sun off our roofs and makes them last longer. 
10. Insulation: Keeps us cool. Keeps us warm. And everything in between.
11. Star Program: Protecting several million sq ft of roof and saving our clients big bucks.
12. Fulfilling our dreams: It’s a work in progress, but we know we are getting there.
13. Facebook: Keeps us close with our clients.
14. Product sales reps: Always hanging around the office, but at least they bring donuts.
15. AC Contractors: Someone has to create punctures for us to fix, right?
16. New MyRAMCON.com site: Instant information on your roof 24/7.
17. Aerial photographers: Provide amazing photos of our projects.
18. Apple iPad: Convenient, productive and long battery life. Changes the way we work.
19. Our Twitter Followers: Great way to connect with thousands of our customers.
20. PermaFlash: It seals just about everything…and it’s covered under warranty.
21. New service truck wraps: They simply look good.
22. RAMCON Blog: Even we learn things from the article research.
23. Hurricane Tracking ‘11: The first year they are actually about right.
24. Libya War Ending: Libya is one of the largest producers of SBS polymers, which are used in Modified Cap Sheets. The war sent prices skyrocketing.
25. The US Military: When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight.

 Stay tuned for the continuation of the list!

Thermal Scans of Roofing Systems

Adding insulation to the walls of an existing building typically is not economically feasible, unless the building is to be re-clad for aesthetic reasons or if other significant deficiencies exist. But replacing a roof system is an option.

Thermal scans of a roof system can help technicians locate wet insulation that reduces energy efficiency. They can replace the insulation and address the cause of the leakage. If much of the insulation is wet, managers should consider complete replacement.

This step not only would replace the inefficient wet insulation, it would ensure compliance with current building codes that require additional insulation. When adding insulation to a roof system, managers need to thoroughly review the impact on flashing heights and ensure the system is detailed to be reliable and to prevent moisture from migrating into the insulation and building.

Significant energy loss through the building envelope is very common in both new construction and existing buildings. But managers have options to increase the envelope’s overall efficiency.

New buildings require proper design, which might include integrating the air barrier, vapor retarder, and backup waterproofing as one component. In existing buildings, technicians will need to determine the sources of air leaks and address them. This work requires hands-on investigation and knowledge of building components and materials.

Implementing energy-efficient building systems certainly increases the overall cost of construction, but organizations will see a viable payback from an energy-efficient building envelope. To achieve this efficiency goal, managers will need to ensure the building-envelope systems are properly designed and constructed with durable materials in a reliable manner. Insulation exposed to moisture, air leaks and other inefficient construction will decrease the overall efficiency.

RAMCON Supports Children's Crisis Center

RAMCON is proud to support the MHC Foundation's Children's Crisis Center. RAMCON will be participating in the 7th annual Children's Crisis Breakfast on November 3rd, 2011 at the prestigious Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club.

Mental Health Care’s Children’s Crisis Center is a 14-bed unit and the only program of its kind in Hillsborough County that provides crisis evaluation and inpatient emergency psychiatric services for children who are in a situation so severe they present a danger to themselves or others. Since the Children’s Crisis Center opened in 1987, thousands of children have been impacted. Through 24-hour assessment services, the Center provides a caring safe environment and teaches coping skills to both the child and parents as well.
RAMCON is proud to support the Children’s Crisis Center, which is over 40 years old, continues to update and remodel to provide a comfortable, secure environment where children in crisis can receive optimal care and positive outcomes. We strongly encourage all who are able to join us in supporting this organization that provides resources to optimize the level of care MHC provides to our community's most vulnerable citizens. Please vistit: http://mhcinc.org/poc/view_index.php?idx=103&fin=504.