For over a 120 years Building Center has helped build community with more than just Lumber and Building Supplies.

We get many donation requests and help as often as possible, but here is just a portion of the organizations we are proud to be able to contribute to this year.

Bluefin Blowout

Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association, Bluefin Blowout is New England’s premier giant bluefin tuna tournament presented by the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group.

Showcased on the National Geographic’s hit series Wicked Tuna the Bluefin Blowout draws some of the best giant tuna fishermen on the east coast competing in two long days of fishing to take home over cash,  jackpots, and prizes along with the coveted Bluefin Blowout Trophy, all while benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. 

We invite everyone to enjoy the giant weigh-in station, vendors, tournament tent, live music and entertainment. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updated information on the tournament and come celebrate the fishery of the magnificent bluefin tuna in true tournament fashion as the best of the best battle the giants of the ocean!

St Peter’s Fiesta

The annual celebration in Gloucester, MA, The St. Peter’s Fiesta of recent years provides a varied program certain to be of interest to all. The entire Italian-American section of Gloucester gets decorated with flags, bunting, colored lights and streamers. Some fifty archways are erected over the streets, their colored lights presenting an awe-inspiring sight when viewed at night. An enormous altar and double bandstand several stories high form the focal point of the decorations. The life-sized statue of St. Peter is centered on this altar, lavishly decorated with hundreds of flowers. From the bandstand two concert bands alternate in entertaining every evening of the Fiesta. Sunday morning is the annual open air Mass at the Alter at St. Peter’s Square. Hundreds of people gather to take part in this religious ceremony.

Following the mass is a procession composed of several bands and floats, hundreds of men and women participants, and the statue of St. Peter carried on the shoulders of eight fishermen. Later in the afternoon the crowds witness the blessing of the Italian-American fishing fleet. The fleet of almost one hundred fishing vessels, all gaily decorated with signal flags, presents a most impressive panorama. After the Bishop blesses the fleet, the vessels’ fog horns are blown. These blasts can be heard all over Cape Ann. Various sporting events are held each afternoon during the procession. The Greasy Pole is a contest where brave soles run across a grease covered pole trying to capture a flag. The other event is the Seine Boat Races.

Jr Seine Boat PowOARful

We are honored by the opportunity to sponsor Jr Seine Boat team PowOARful. Led by Coach Alex Rose and Scuttler Monica Banks, this Jr team is carrying on the tradition and starting new ones, such as being in the first ALL WOMEN’s heat (inlcuding scuttlers and coaches) along with team Empow’OAR’d.

Kid’s Mini Greasy Pole

In partnership with Giacalone Contracting, we requested a donation of their skills and labor, and Building Center with our donation of materials, they have a built a platform and pole for the kids to walk and try their hand at the honored tradition. The miniature platform and pole have a flag for the kids to grab as they reach the end.

One of our missions at the Building Center is to build community.Partnering with Giacalone felt like the perfect way to honor St. Peter’s Fiesta with something fun for the kids. We’ve been having a lot of fun this year”; we thankful we were also able to sponsor one of the Jr. Seine boats PowOARful.”” says Chris Stevenson, Director of Operations at Building Center “We’re excited to continue working with local businesses to strengthen our community and traditions.”

“It isn’t often that we get to do fun projects like these, but when Building Center offered the opportunity, we couldn’t turn it down.” says Joey Giacalone, Lead Project Manager at Giacalone Contracting “With the many projects we have done as a partnership, this one hits home as being the best way to celebrate Cape Ann’s heritage, and just in time for the St. Peter’s Fiesta.”

Community Sports

GHS Softball

Little League

Happy as a Clam 5k

The 15th Happy as a Clam 5k Race, Walk and Fun Dashes is Friday, September 13, 2024! This event is open to anyone who wants to support a community school and all the wonderful enrichment programs the students hope to enjoy throughout the year. The 5K route meanders through the beautiful back roads of Essex. The Kids’ Fun Dashes are always a hit, with even the littlest ones smiling from start to finish. Come out, lace up, and pound the pavement for the students of EES. It will certainly to be another fun race this year!

Chamber Golf Tournament

Played at the Bass Rocks Golf Club and typically attended by over 100 Chamber members and guests.The net proceeds of this event fund the Chamber’s extensive work with the four Greater Cape Ann high schools, Essex Tech and education non-profits.

The programming includes: monthly collaboration with all schools and education non-profits, DECA support, intern and mentorships, annual Cape Ann Career & Collage Fair and several scholarships. A great way to help our local youth become successful business people! Learn more about next year!

Back Yard Growers

Backyard Growers cultivates healthy, connected, resilient communities and fights for food sovereignty by empowering people to grow their own food. We increase equitable access to vegetable gardens and the resources people and communities need to grow their own food.

Backyard Growers now includes six community gardens, hundreds of residential gardens, a school garden at every Gloucester public school, numerous gardens at community organizations and GrowBag container gardens on front stoops, back porches and in driveways all over Cape Ann.

Through their consulting program, organizations and school districts beyond Gloucester now adapt Backyard Growers’ award-winning garden program models each year. Presently, BYG is furthering their mission of creating a strong and resilient food system with the launch the Backyard Growcery in 2024, a weekly farmer’s market.