“Making a difference one square foot at a time” is the mission statement of Tiles Unlimited in Queens and a belief best exemplified through the company’s continuing partnership with NBC’s home renovation series, “George to the Rescue.” The latest season of the popular show, which stars contractor George Oliphant and his team of workers and volunteers, as they “rescue” the homes of deserving families, features the Jackowskis of North Babylon, Long Island.
Greg and Amy Jackowski have two daughters, Kate and Abby. The younger Abby was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3 and now, four years later, her needs have outgrown her home’s original design. As Abby is confined to a wheelchair, mobility in the house has always been an issue, a continuing one as the child has gotten older, and one which now needed to be addressed.
Moving was not an option. Abby attends the nearby Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center, a state-supported educational facility that specializes in children with specific needs and disabilities, including medical supports. Understandably, for Abby’s sake, the family wished to remain close to the school.
The scope of the project was larger than most “George” renovations. The goals were to creatively adjust walls, the entryway and stairs to increase mobility for Abby by incorporating chair lifts. In addition, the team decided to take on remodeling the kitchen and Abby’s bedroom, too. Tiles Unlimited was with the team the whole way, ensuring Abby’s “new” home was as beautiful as it was functional. If the smile that accompanied the 7-year-old’s face was any indication, the project was a success.
Tiles Unlimited began its partnership with “George to the Rescue” in an episode that originally aired in September 2015. The Twible family rescue involved helping son Robbie, who suffers from Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a debilitating skin disease. The three-week-long rescue of Robbie’s bedroom not only spruced it up to suit his interests—the room has a Broadway theme—but included changes made to accommodate his day-to-day struggles. In addition, the family bathroom was completely renovated with tile donated by Tiles Unlimited, to make it more accessible for Robbie. See more pictures here.
Shortly after, Tiles Unlimited jumped at the chance to participate in the Sherwood family rescue. The project involved renovating the first floor of the home to make it accessible to Ms. Sherwood, who suffers from ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease and is confined to a wheelchair. Using a stair-lift to get Ms. Sherwood to the second floor was just not working for the family, so the “George to the Rescue” team converted a den into a bedroom and remodeled the bathroom to make if wheelchair accessible. The team also created a new backyard deck so Terry can enjoy the outdoors as well. See more pictures here.
To date, Tiles Unlimited has donated more than 1,000 square feet of designer tile and installation materials and plans to continue doing so as long as George’s team will have them.
Tile Unlimited’s mission extends far beyond their partnership with “George to the Rescue.” Most recently, they became an official drop-off location for Toys for Tots and were able to donate more than 100 toys to children in need this past Christmas. “We were overwhelmed by the generosity and support of the community and can’t wait until next year so we can help even more kids,” said Tiles Unlimited President Joseph L. Pipitone.
Following Hurricane Sandy, the company reached out to affected communities by donating more than 30,000 square feet of tile to 200 families and providing big discounts to both homeowners and contractors working to rebuild their neighborhoods.
Tiles Unlimited’s long philanthropic history has not gone unnoticed. In 2015, Queens Centers for Progress, an organization dedicated to providing person-centered services and support to children and adults who have developmental disabilities, named Pipitone its Business Man of the Year for his commitment to bettering the communities he lives and works in.
Located in Glendale, Tiles Unlimited is the source for premium tile products. Tiles Unlimited has the largest selection of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, glass and metal tiles in Queens, and partnerships with the finest distributors and manufacturers in the world. Park for free in their indoor garage, grab an espresso and let their expert designers help you create the project of your dreams, no matter your budget.
