Building outdoor spaces to make memories with friends and loved ones is important work. Having a space to gather with the people who mean the most to you and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine can build bonds that will last a lifetime. As small business owners, hardscapers not only create these spaces but also act as pillars in their local communities. Many contractors feel that once they’ve achieved success, giving back to their community is the next step in building something not just for themselves, but for future generations.

Belgard developed the Paves the Good Program in 2023 as a way to support contractors who donate time and resources to charitable causes. The process is simple: a contractor heads to the website and submits a proposal for a good cause, agreeing to donate their labor. Once approved, Belgard will donate materials for the job, and that’s it!

History of the Program

Over the past two years, the Paves the Good Program has improved the quality of life for many people in need. In 2023, Liller’s Lawn Care, LLC and Easton Outdoors were each awarded free material to complete charitable projects. Adam Liller of Liller’s Lawn Care submitted his plans to build an outdoor space for the McShin Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping individuals in the Richmond area who are struggling with substance use disorder. This particular job was for their Destiny Home, a women’s recovery house where pregnant women and women with one child can live during their recovery process. Liller’s Lawn Care donated their time to build a beautiful patio and walkways with Belgard products provided by the program so that the women of Destiny Home can have an outdoor oasis to relax and enjoy the fresh air on their journey to recovery.

During the same inaugural year of the program, Micah Miller of Easton Outdoors was awarded a Pave the Good donation in collaboration with Tunnel to Towers, an organization that helps veterans, first responders and their families. This particular project was for Master Sergeant Logan Brokaw who, after multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the U.S. Army’s Special Operations, was injured during a freefall training exercise that led to paraplegia. Tunnel to Towers built MSG Brokaw a completely new smart home, and Easton Outdoors created a beautiful ADA-compliant patio for him to grill on with his family and enjoy his yard.

Micah Miller and Easton Outdoors Return

In 2024, Micah returned with his second Paves the Good award, a project for Deep Creek Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia. WAVY-TV in Hampton reported from the scene of the school to cover this amazing outdoor makeover. “My classroom overlooks the courtyards in the school,” says Dory Suttmiller, a history teacher at Deep Creek Middle, “my students always ask to come outside, but when we bring them out it’s either too hot or there’s nothing for them to do.”

Micah stepped into the frame to speak with WAVY’s reporter about the project. “We need to get kids outside,” says Micah, gesturing to the surrounding greenery in the courtyard, “so my challenge is figuring out a way to draw them into the outdoor space and get them playing and reading and breathing the fresh air.” When asked why it’s important to get kids outside Dory Suttmiller said, “Students today spend way too much time inside under fluorescent lights in front of screens. We just really need to get some sunshine in their lives.”

In a follow-up feature, WAVY-TV revealed the space that Easton Outdoors built. “The purpose of all this is to get kids outside,” says Micah, standing in the newly renovated courtyard, “we have a lot of organic seating and benches. We added canopies and new trees that will grow into additional shade to keep them cool as they enjoy the natural space.” The camera pans to show curved seating walls beneath shady trees where children can take a reprieve from the glow of LED lights and computer screens.

To watch the full video head here and see the news report for yourself!

Looking Forward

After two years of Paves the Good, we’re so excited to watch the program grow and touch more lives. With three awards having been granted and more lined up for this year, the Paves the Good Program is gearing up to continue growing and giving back to the communities that breathe life into Belgard’s outdoor spaces.

If you want to submit a project for consideration, head to https://apgmidatlantic.com/paves-the-good/ or talk to your sales rep today!