The Other Side of Things

At first glance, Holland Floor Covering is one of the most successful family businesses of its kind in the area. Their 8,000 square foot showroom boasts an uncanny selection of flooring and the 37 years of dedicated service is a proven testament of their infinite expertise, attention to detail and care for their clients.

Looking past their endless carpet and rug selections, the countless ceramic tile and laminate flooring options, and even skipping the hardwood, vinyl and window fashions situated inside their 17,000 square foot warehouse, you will uncover the greatest feat of Holland Floor Covering has nothing to do with floors. Instead, the most successful venture of this family operated business has been philanthropy, and it is their charity work, this family celebrates the most.

It began as a personal struggle. Pam Gifford, the ‘financial whiz’ of Holland Floor Covering, so dubbed by her younger brothers Roger and David Hansbarger, (all three siblings along with their mother Judy now run Holland Floor Covering, the business their father David Hansbarger started in the family garage in 1973) experienced shocks up and down her arms, followed by dizzy spells and numbness back in 1991. It was the first symptom of MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Gifford ignored out of fear. Two years later the loss of sight in her right eye couldn’t be ignored. A series of hospitalizations followed, all without an official diagnosis. A few years of relief gave Gifford a chance to start a family; she had a daughter in 1994 and another daughter in 1996. In 1999, however more symptoms returned and Gifford began daily Betaseron injections. Several blissful years without flare-ups followed. Although by August of 2002, Gifford again found herself experiencing abnormal fatigue. The mother of two was unable to concentrate and struggled to get through the day with constant pins and needles in both legs.

At that time, only immediate family and friends knew of Gifford’s difficult struggle and battle against the unpredictable disease with no known cure (yet). Gifford was soon diagnosed with Epstein Barr Syndrome, not uncommon for people with Multiple Sclerosis, and bravely faced a tough winter of daily Copaxone injections. “With support of friends and family I was able to cope with the daily effects of MS,” says Gifford. “Obviously, denial was no longer an option, this is why I decided to get actively involved in the fight against MS by participating in the 2003 challenge walk,” recalls Gifford. “It was without a doubt, a life changing experience,” says Gifford of the moment she now references as her very own, “coming out of the closet.” Gifford sat down and wrote a letter to friends, co-workers, and school and community organizations. There was no turning back; her quiet struggle with MS instantly became public. The brave step and overwhelming show of support gave Gifford strength, and feeling better than ever, her family even expanded by adopting a son.

In the first year of participating in the 30-mile walk over two days, Gifford and her team, appropriately named Pam’s Posse, raised an astounding $29,000 dollars for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, funds desperately needed for the cure. Last year, Gifford and the ‘posse’ became the fourth highest individual fundraiser in America by raising close to $40,000.  Both of Gifford’s daughters participate in the fundraising and the walk. “I’ve registered for the MS Challenge Walk because I want to do something for the people who have been diagnosed like my mom, and because I want to do everything to prevent more people from learning what it means to live with this disease,” explains the eldest Gifford daughter, Emily.

Not surprisingly, some of the greatest support for MS Challenge Walk came from customers and vendors of Holland Floor Covering, with everyone at the store pitching in to raise money not only for Gifford, but the millions of Americans struggling with MS daily.

Now gearing up for her 8th Challenge Walk, Gifford seems more eager than ever. “I am on a mission to get as many people to join me in my fight against MS. I am so sick of this disease, I do not want my kids to have to worry—we need to find a cure!” says Gifford.

The success of Holland Floor Covering is in the simple formula of love and respect, not only for each other but their customers, who like most of their vendors become an extended part of them. And like a true family, this one is rising to the challenge of finding the cure together one walk at a time.

The 30-mile walk over two days will take place on October 23-24, 2010, from Brandywine Valley to Philadelphia. For more information the challenge, please visit http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/PAE/index.aspx

Holland Floor Covering is located at 35 Swamp Road in Newtown. For more information, visit www.hollandfloor.com or call (215) 357-0909.