(L-R): Shana Carroll, Kristi Ronyak
At its July 2025 meeting, the PDCA Board of Directors unanimously voted to sponsor Construction Angels Bingo, a fundraiser coming to Baltimore on October 16th, to support the national non-profit organization that provides immediate, monetary assistance to families of fallen construction workers. PDCA has several members in and around Baltimore, some of whom are active with Construction Angels. Also, PDCA has members which are currently working on rebuilding the Key Bridge, a high profile driven pile project in the region. Notably, the rebuild was necessitated by a 2024 tragedy. Board members quickly determined that Construction Angels' mission is worthy of support from the driven pile industry.
In the wake of the fatal, 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, local geotechnical engineer and PDCA member Shana Carroll wanted to help those who lost loved ones in the tragic event. Three of the six people who were victims of the accidental bridge demolition were construction workers and were on the span when its foundation was hit by a vessel. Soon after the dust settled, Carroll, the president of D.W. Kozera, Inc., gathered with members of a local networking organization where she is active. She and other members at CREWBaltimore began discussing how they can be helpful to the victimized families. They soon learned about the existence of a national non-profit organization called Construction Angels, which exclusively develops fundraising events throughout the country designed to generate immediate aid for surviving spouses and children of fallen workers.
"The Key Bridge [collapse] was like another 9/11 for me, except worse," said Carroll. "We [Kozera] had workers at nearby Tradepoint Atlantic and they literally watched the bridge fall...so in a way it was more disturbing than 9/11."
In the wake of the fatal, 2024 collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, local geotechnical engineer and PDCA member Shana Carroll wanted to help those who lost loved ones in the tragic event. Three of the six people who were victims of the accidental bridge demolition were construction workers and were on the span when its foundation was hit by a vessel. Soon after the dust settled, Carroll, the president of D.W. Kozera, Inc., gathered with members of a local networking organization where she is active. She and other members at CREWBaltimore began discussing how they can be helpful to the victimized families. They soon learned about the existence of a national non-profit organization called Construction Angels, which exclusively develops fundraising events throughout the country designed to generate immediate aid for surviving spouses and children of fallen workers.
"The Key Bridge [collapse] was like another 9/11 for me, except worse," said Carroll. "We [Kozera] had workers at nearby Tradepoint Atlantic and they literally watched the bridge fall...so in a way it was more disturbing than 9/11."
2024 fundraiser for families of Key Bridge collapse victims
Carroll continued; "After we connected with Construction Angels, we at CREWBaltimore jumped in to help raise money for the worker's families. We learned that they are able to get money into their [victims' families] hands immediately after construction related accidents. This helps them with the sudden loss of income while insurances work out the rest - that takes time."
The result of the partnership that Shana, her fellow members of CREWBaltimore, and Construction Angels quickly formed, was a successful fundraising event which enabled people in the local business and construction communities to provide support to those who's lives turned upside down upon losing a family member in the Key Bridge tragedy.
After the 2024 fundraiser, Carroll became a believer in the mission and work of Construction Angels. Recently, she became the organization's volunteer State Representative in Maryland.
She explained; "Construction Angels is important to me because I've seen firsthand how their mission supports families in times of tragedy, especially after the Key Bridge collapse, when I was looking for a way to help the families affected and found this amazing organization that truly cares."
The result of the partnership that Shana, her fellow members of CREWBaltimore, and Construction Angels quickly formed, was a successful fundraising event which enabled people in the local business and construction communities to provide support to those who's lives turned upside down upon losing a family member in the Key Bridge tragedy.
After the 2024 fundraiser, Carroll became a believer in the mission and work of Construction Angels. Recently, she became the organization's volunteer State Representative in Maryland.
She explained; "Construction Angels is important to me because I've seen firsthand how their mission supports families in times of tragedy, especially after the Key Bridge collapse, when I was looking for a way to help the families affected and found this amazing organization that truly cares."
Since Shana Carroll knows that Baltimore has a high concentration of pile drivers and she has been a longtime partner to PDCA on initiatives in the region, she approached the PDCA Board to ask if it would consider sponsoring Construction Angels Bingo. Some Board members were familiar with Construction Angels, others had just learned about it. But not a single Board member voted against helping what it determined to be a noble cause.
Notably, several other Baltimore region pile driving companies are committed participants in this local fundraising effort for Construction Angels; Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. recently signed on as an event sponsor.
Kristi Ronyak is the CEO & Founder/National Executive Director of Construction Angels, and has since expressed her gratitude to PDCA for its support. She explained more about her organization's mission:
"Construction Angels is more than a charity--it's a lifeline, a national nonprofit helping construction families in 33 states over 14 years, providing immediate financial assistance and grief counseling to families who have lost a loved one in an accidental construction-related incident," said Ronyak. "Across the country, companies, crews, and supporters are rallying communities around the families who need us most. Every dollar raised helps us say "yes" when a grieving spouse calls. Every dollar, every sponsor, every guest at a Construction Angels fundraiser brings us one step closer to ensuring no construction family ever faces loss alone."
As word about the PDCA contribution to Construction Angels circulated through through the organization's membership, Florida Chapter Vice President Dean Cacio from R.W. Harris, Inc. - A Goettle Company applauded the decision. He indicated that he is a friend of Kristi Ronyak and has 'helped out' her organization over the years.
If you are in or near Baltimore on October 16th, consider joining with PDCA to support Construction Angels Bingo. See the flier below to learn how you can get involved.
Notably, several other Baltimore region pile driving companies are committed participants in this local fundraising effort for Construction Angels; Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. recently signed on as an event sponsor.
Kristi Ronyak is the CEO & Founder/National Executive Director of Construction Angels, and has since expressed her gratitude to PDCA for its support. She explained more about her organization's mission:
"Construction Angels is more than a charity--it's a lifeline, a national nonprofit helping construction families in 33 states over 14 years, providing immediate financial assistance and grief counseling to families who have lost a loved one in an accidental construction-related incident," said Ronyak. "Across the country, companies, crews, and supporters are rallying communities around the families who need us most. Every dollar raised helps us say "yes" when a grieving spouse calls. Every dollar, every sponsor, every guest at a Construction Angels fundraiser brings us one step closer to ensuring no construction family ever faces loss alone."
As word about the PDCA contribution to Construction Angels circulated through through the organization's membership, Florida Chapter Vice President Dean Cacio from R.W. Harris, Inc. - A Goettle Company applauded the decision. He indicated that he is a friend of Kristi Ronyak and has 'helped out' her organization over the years.
If you are in or near Baltimore on October 16th, consider joining with PDCA to support Construction Angels Bingo. See the flier below to learn how you can get involved.
