BSCAI Member Tim Murch Donates Award Money to The Buddy Fund

At last year’s 2018 Contracting Success Conference, long-time BSCAI member and 4M Building Solutions CEO and Chairman Tim Murch took home the Arthur C. Barraclough Company Community Service Award, an award that recognizes companies for their volunteer effort for charities and their communities.

“I was very humbled and very appreciative,” Murch says. “To be the sole winner was a tremendous honor – it’s gratifying to be recognized for your endeavors.”

As the recipient, Murch could choose one charity to receive a $1,000 donation, and he chose one near and dear to his heart – The Buddy Fund. 

The Buddy Fund, for which Murch has served as chairman for nine years, is a St. Louis, Mo.-based foundation that provides sporting goods and equipment to underserved communities. The Buddy Fund helps more than 15,000 kids yearly and focuses on improving the lives of at-risk youth by donating to more than 45 sports organizations.

These sports programs are essential to the development of the kids – they teach life skills, build confidence and demonstrate the value of teamwork, all while the kids focus on education. Murch says this is especially important for the City of St. Louis community, where if a male doesn’t graduate from high school, his chances of death or incarceration increase largely.

“We’re not just changing lives – we’re saving lives,” he says. “We can’t do enough.” 

With the BSCAI donation, The Buddy Fund purchased hundreds of balls and sports equipment for local sports organizations.

Today, The Buddy Fund continues to make an impact on the community by hosting an annual golf classic and auction, in which all proceeds go toward new sports equipment for organizations such as boys and girls clubs, police athletic leagues, children’s homes, Special Olympics and after-school programs.

Murch also brings his philanthropy efforts to life through his company, as he often participates in his co-worker's and staff’s charitable missions, too. At 4M Building Solutions, regional managers and staff put on a golf tournament for Wounded Warriors, volunteer with the Ronald McDonald House and organize a back-to-school backpack program that helps children across 17 states.

“It’s not just about writing the checks – it’s about getting the team members involved,” Murch says. “People like to help other people and know they are making a difference – it’s the laws of the universe.”

For building service contractors looking to get their teams involved in charities, Murch suggests asking staff what they are interested in doing and then allowing them to take charge and make a plan.  

In the future, Murch hopes to start his own foundation that will continue to make a difference.

“It’s all about giving back,” Murch says. “We are very blessed to be in a successful business that we can take the time to volunteer and contribute to worthwhile causes and truly make a difference in others’ lives."”

The next recipient of the Arthur C. Barraclough Company Community Service Award will be named at the 2019 Contracting Success Conference, Nov. 20-22 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To register, click here.