Hardware industry aids City of Hope

Las Vegas -- The 2014 Spirit of Life Award Reception honored Masco Corporation's Karen Mendelsohn during a City of Hope Hardware/Homebuilding Industry event Monday night here.

On the eve of the International Builders' Show and KBIS, the City of Hope disease treatment and research center pointed to a 2014 Hardware/Homebuilding Industry fundraising campaign total of $800,000.

Mendelsohn, who serves as Masco's VP and chief marketing and strategy officer, told a packed ballroom at the Venetian Hotel she was honored and humbled to received the award. "The City of Hope is all about surviving and thriving," she said. "Together all of us united to raise $800,000 for this organization that is life changing and life affirming. And for that I am so thankful."

Home Depot executive VP merchandising Craig Menear, also a past Spirit of Life honoree, introduced Mendelsohn. He said it was an honor to work with Karen during the past 15 years. "She truly is one of the industry's leaders for this great cause," Menear said.

Mark Baker, the former executive at Scotts Miracle-Gro, Home Depot and Orchard Supply Hardware -- and a former Spirit of Life honoree -- recognized a long list of corporate donations to City of Hope, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. 

"Through all of those years, patients have been at the center of City of Hope's mission," Baker said. "This  industry has been remarkable in terms of its perseverance and its support of COH."

The City of Hope is a California-based treatment and research center that specializes in cancer, diabetes and other diseases.