Our Commitment to Giving Back
Community In Action
At the Building Trades Network, we believe our work goes beyond job sites and project timelines. Twice each year, BTN members come together to use their skills, tools, and expertise to serve the communities that support us.
Our BTN Give Back initiative is a bi-yearly effort where members donate their time, talent, and resources to organizations and individuals in need. From renovations and repairs to infrastructure support and community outreach, these projects are rooted in one shared belief:
when skilled professionals work together with purpose, real change happens.
This effort isn’t about recognition—it’s about responsibility. As builders, contractors, designers, and tradespeople, we have the ability to create safe, functional, and dignified spaces. Giving back allows us to do exactly that for those who may not otherwise have access to these resources.
Why It Matters
For our members, giving back is personal.
Many entered the trades because of mentorship, opportunity, or second chances—and the BTN Give Back initiative allows them to pay that forward. By using their professional skills in service of others, members strengthen not only the community but also the values that define BTN:
integrity, collaboration, and trust.
These projects also reinforce what makes BTN different. Members don’t just work side-by-side on paid jobs—they come together to support causes larger than any single business. The result is a stronger network, deeper relationships, and a shared sense of purpose that carries into everyday work.
Our Impact in Action
Each Give Back project tells a story—of collaboration, compassion, and commitment. Over the years, BTN members have supported families, nonprofits, schools, and communities through hands-on service projects that leave a lasting impact.
Below, you’ll find stories and highlights from our past Give Back initiatives. These blogs showcase the heart of BTN in action—members stepping up, working together, and using their skills to make a meaningful difference.
OUR PROJECTS
Explore our past Give Back projects and see how BTN continues to build trust, community, and hope—one project at a time.
“BTN Give Back was created because I believe our trades have the power to change lives—not just build structures. When our members come together to serve the community, it shapes who we are as professionals and as people. It reminds us why integrity, craftsmanship, and teamwork matter. These projects don’t just help others—they strengthen our members and our network.”
– Paul McKelvey, Founder, McKelvey Construction
FAQs
Fill out the application and attend a meeting, pretty simple. You will be happy you did!
The founders had a vision. To bring together professionals in the housing industry who are like minded, licensed and bonded, are character first people who are looking to grow their business through networking with people they like and feel comfortable referring all with giving back to the community as our common passion.
We have a $500 annual fee to join BTN and there is a small monthly chapter fee of around $20 a month to pay for the meeting room and coffee. We don’t believe in serving breakfast at our 7am meetings. It costs members more money, it takes more time, and frankly, it detracts from what we are trying to accomplish as a group. Get in and get out and get on with your busy day.
We are a non-profit organization registered as Building Trades Network Community Outreach Foundation and we have worked very closely with different veteran groups for the past several years including Furnishing Hope for our returning wounded warriors, we also help at large events that offer care and education to homeless vets, we have given clothing, food, blankets and Christmas gifts to the homeless the local community, we have contributed thousands of pounds of food to the Orange County Food Bank and we are now heavily involved with Mercy House which is a wonderful organization helping mothers and children giving them a safe and clean place to live as they transition to permanent housing.
We are professionals who only work in the residential and commercial building industry. Other network groups often have multiple level marketing businesses that try to sell directly to its members. We believe when we grow our relationships though weekly meetings, events, mixers and our non- profit work we are actually building trust and better understanding of each member. We really get to know their business ethics, knowledge, experience and specialties making it far easier to refer to them to other contractors, trades people, clients, family, neighbors and friends.