MCCA MEMBERS BILL VERLEY (LEFT) AND DAVE GERKEN WORK ON THE DECK AT THE COUNTS’ HOUSE. The year 1994 marked the beginning of tight-knit organization of tradesmen with the collective conviction of giving back to their community. The Mariposa County Contractors Association (MCCA) still thriving today, and has served as the backbone for multiple community service projects.

What had started out as a small core group of licensed contractors has flourished to now over 50 associates. Together they aim to serve the community in order to promote professionalism within Mariposa County’s building industry. This association takes on numerous duties such as educating members on new products, reminding all members to keep up to date on appropriate building codes and encourage members to maintain distinctive excellence in all their works all while embracing a strong bond with Mariposa County’s communities.

MEMBERS OF MCCA HELPED CONSTRUCT A RAILROAD TRACK AT THE RAYMOND MUSEUM. THE TRACK REPLICATES AN OLD ONE THAT RAN THROUGH THE SAME AREA. This group may not be the largest and isn’t running on a hefty budget, but with the help of yearly membership dues, donations, and hard work, MCCA is able to ensure that Mariposa County residents are informed and taken care of with all of their contracting needs.

“We really try our best to really look into each project presented to us. We really do a lot with very little,” stated member Alan Dayhoff.

The MCCA usually flies under the radar, but a quick glance around town shows many projects worked on by these volunteer members. While members are full-time, working individuals as well as company owners, they still find time after hours and on weekends to get community projects.

A few projects the MCCA has accomplished include the visitor center restrooms, which were built and paid for, at an estimated cost of $25,000, by the association. Concrete has been added to the front entrance of the Manna House, as well as the plywood work to enclose the food storage facility, with donations from both the Mariposa Lions Club and Mother Lode Lumber.

THE MARIPOSA COUNTY CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION CONSTRUCTED THIS LONGAWAITED RESTROOM AT THE MARIPOSA VISITORS’ CENTER. They contributed to the restoration

of the Counts’ House deck, located at the Mariposa Museum and History Center. Recently they brought the Gold Bowl announcer booth up to code. They offered

essential

AND DAVE GERKEN WORK

labor at

Camp

Pacifica, and toiled away at a barbecue area at the Mariposa County Park. They also earned a great deal of recognition for laying down railroad tracks for the Railroad Museum in Raymond.

ROB HAMBLETON MIXES CEMENT DURING THE MCCA VOLUNTEER PROJECT AT THE MARIPOSA MUSEUM AND HISTORY CENTER. Alongside providing structures for the community to enjoy, MCCA stresses the importance of keeping Mariposa County residents safe and protected with every contractor encounter. The organization notes the importance for citizens to “always check California state license code, as well as hiring a contractor with current insurance coverage,” said MCCA President Bill Verley.

Besides protecting, contracting, constructing, restoring, painting and all other included trade work, the association goes to great lengths to give back through outreach efforts. For the past five years the members have been return purchasers at the Junior Livestock Auction during the Mariposa County Fair.

After purchasing livestock the

MCAA donates all the women at the meat to the men and women at the senior center. Just a short time ago, the MCCA stepped in and purchased $2,500 worth of search and rescue armbands to be disbursed amongst those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Currently the MCAA is prepping for their 21st annual Home and Garden Trade Show, to take place at the fairgrounds the first Saturday in October. The show is a family affair including games, raffles, food and numerous booths for the public to enjoy and learn from professionals all aspects of home improvement and construction. Licensed contractors from both in and outside the community are encouraged to participate to offer advice, ideas and answers to local residents’ needs.

The MCCA is playing a major role in the new Grizzly Stadium project. Starting just a few weeks ago with site preparation, members are concentrating on phase one at this time, which includes the scoreboard, gravel, fencing, prepping the field for grass, backstops, entry landscaping, and portable bleachers.

Members are often excited to get a job done promptly and efficiently, once they have first been presented a project for review. This group of dedicated individuals includes numerous highly skilled professionals who also portray an eager nature to lend a helping hand.

“We love to contribute to the community. The community gives so much to us, so in return it’s how we give back, to offer our services,” said MCCA member Dave Gerken.

The MCCA meets on the third Thursday of every month and is always looking for new members associated with the building trades to add to its team. Those interested in becoming a member can visit www.mariposacontractors.org for a complete list of the members as well as an area to check contractors’ license numbers.