Ben Jackson, of Ben’s General Contracting, once again helped out on the NBC program, “George to the Rescue” on Oct. 27 when he and other members of George’s crew pitched in to create classrooms and a new gym at Spark Elementary School, a school for special needs children in Lindenhurst, New York.
The episode was one of several that Ben’s has appeared in. As George Oliphant, the star of the show puts it, “I can’t think of a better person to help us than “George to the Rescue” alumni Ben Jackson!”
The new space will allow the school to expand to allow sixth and seventh-graders to remain in the school. Without the expansion, parents would have had to take their children to a school two-and-a-half hours away or home school them.
Cleaning out a huge nearly 2,000-foot warehouse owned by the school was a huge job. It was the largest job “George to the Rescue” ever tackled. As George remarks to Ben, “It’s going to take an army. “But Ben was ready with a crew of volunteers, including his own team from Ben’s General Contracting and co-owner Tony Jackson. “We have an army” Ben told George.
The job required the most durable, strongest materials available and the contractors used sheetrock donated by DuraBlis that are durable, mold-resistant, waterproof, and fire-rated, easily removable. DuraBlis can easily be replaced.
When the warehouse was cleaned out, Ben and George even got to have some fun racing on top of their scissor lifts. (George won but just by a hair!)
Others on the team included architect James Prisco, Mitch Kraeling, of Island Electric; Carpenters Local 290 union and District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades; Chasity Centento, of Riese Design, and Troy Pfefferle, of Fun Factory Sensory Gym.
When sisters Marianne Franzese, the principal of the school, and Rosalie Franzese Napolitano, the director of teaching, learning, and curriculum, saw the beautiful, colorful new spaces, complete with climbing walls and other equipment in the Fun Factory Sensory Gym, and special chairs and tables in the classrooms, they were in awe at the transformation. “This is amazing,” Marianne said. “This is my dream come true,” said Rosalie. “I love this room. I love it! Oh my gosh! This is a dream.”
“This is going to bring a whole new way of learning for them,” said one parent. “My son is going to love this. You’ve made something beyond what I could even imagine!”
“I’m so touched and moved by all of you,” Rosalie said. “You’re based on love. Thank you.”
Ben and Ben’s General Contracting for many years have completed numerous projects for people in need in their community. It is Ben’s passion to help others through community service and offering professional work.
Ben Jackson and his company has won several awards over the years. He is an Executive Board Member of NARI’s New York City/Long Island Chapter and has advocated for legislation affecting the remodeling industry as chairman of the group’s Government Affairs Committee.
You can watch the episode on YouTube here.
