Digging In June: Special Construction Angels
This episode’s guest is: Kristi Ronyak, CEO and Founder – Construction Angels Topic: The human impact of construction fatalities, the families left behind, and what our industry can do to support them.
Follow Construction Angels updates, industry coverage, community stories and media features.
This episode’s guest is: Kristi Ronyak, CEO and Founder – Construction Angels Topic: The human impact of construction fatalities, the families left behind, and what our industry can do to support them.
In this episode of the IronCast, we go live with Kristi Ronyak, CEO, Founder, and National Executive Director of Construction Angels—the nonprofit providing immediate support to families after a construction‑site tragedy.
Prior to 2024, Pat Giffin of Seminole Asphalt Paving, Inc., Sanford, Florida, hadn’t heard of the work the Construction Angels organization was doing. That changed when he attended the 4th Annual Dobbs Equipment Golf Classic. Dobbs Equipment, LLC, headquartered in Riverview, Florida, is a supporter of Construction Angels, Inc., Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
For Hannah Garison, reaching out for the family of a person injured or killed in a construction-related accident is more then a gesture – it’s personal.
Life has a curious way of guiding us through detours we never planned. Sometimes, the very obstacles that frustrate us become the catalysts for growth, clarity, and transformation. In the midst of struggle, we often discover answers to questions we hadn’t yet asked.
As we continue to grow in helping families across the USA, companies and their employees are showing more and more interest in supporting our fundraisers. Every dollar raised helps to get one step closer to ensuring no construction family has to face loss alone. Many of our fundraisers sell out, with many new and growing events coming online. Just by attending one of our events, supporting us on social media, communicating with others about our charity, or sponsoring an event at the state level, you are a part of helping our charity help construction families in the industry.
Each day in construction, men and women head out to jobsites that keep our roads open, our bridges strong and our towns moving forward. It’s tough, honest work, but it also comes with real risks. From heavy equipment to roadside traffic, construction workers face challenges that can change lives in an instant.
We talk with Kristi about this Non-Profit Charity. Helping families in the Construction Trades, when a Fatality happens. Find out more with this video Who Is Construction Angels? Thanks to CWA UAW2209
In an industry built on strength, grit and teamwork, it’s easy to forget how fragile life can be. But at Construction Angels, we never forget. Every time a construction worker doesn’t make it home, our mission kicks into high gear, because behind every hard hat is a family who deserves comfort, care and the promise that they’re not alone.
The third annual outing benefits Construction Angels, a nonprofit that provides immediate support to families of fallen construction workers. The organization also offers scholarships to qualified candidates interested in the construction field and to children of fallen workers.
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.
I’m Hannah Garison, Executive Support Manager at Riggs CAT, a NAWIC Little Rock Chapter board member and incoming vice chair of Women of Asphalt. I am reaching out on behalf of Construction Angels, a nonprofit that provides immediate support to children age 19 and younger and spouses left behind after an accidental, work-related construction fatality.
Mike Doner, president and CEO of Hummelstown-based Flagger Force, has been appointed to Construction Angels’ Board of Directors. As a member of the board, Doner will support Construction Angels’ mission by helping the organization grow and expand through fundraising events, sponsorship opportunities, and additional activities, per a release.
Road construction projects are among the most hazardous endeavors in the construction industry. Workers often operate in proximity to moving vehicles, heavy machinery and distracted drivers. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), “struck-by” incidents — where workers are hit by vehicles — are a leading cause of fatalities on construction sites.
Construction workers in our area are rolling up their sleeves to tackle a different kind of project on Tuesday, Jan. 14: a blood drive.
The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is excited to announce a groundbreaking partnership with Construction Angels, Inc. NAWIC members will have the opportunity to make donations to Construction Angels when enrolling, renewing, or creating a member profile, ensuring that families of fallen workers receive crucial financial assistance in their time of need.
The partnership between these two organizations represents a powerful union of resources, with NAWIC’s extensive network of members joining forces with Construction Angels’ unwavering commitment to helping families in crisis. Together, they are amplifying their impact and extending their reach to create a lasting difference in the construction industry.
Groff Tractor’s inaugural Golf Classic was a huge success, raising $180,000 to benefit Construction Angels and support families in Pennsylvania affected by construction related tragedies. It was an incredible day of golf, giving, and community, all for a great cause.
Effective communication is crucial for the success of any project, and in the construction industry, it’s absolutely vital. The complexity and scale of construction projects require clear, concise and consistent communication among all stakeholders — architects, engineers, contractors, subcontractors and clients.
Groff Tractor & Equipment hosted the ‘Tee Off for a Cause’ golf classic at Bluestone Country Club in PA, raising $118,000 for Construction Angels.
In the wake of the recent bridge collapse in Baltimore, Construction Angels did what it was founded to do: stepped up to serve the families devastated by the loss of six road-crew workers.
The evening reception at JW Marriott Marco Island buzzed with inspiring conversations, delicious food, and a shared commitment to a great cause. Golfers enjoyed sunny day on the greens and fantastic camaraderie at The Rookery. Congratulations to our winners!
The BOMAG team teed up with Linder Industrial Machinery in Myrtle Beach for a charity golf tournament, raising funds for Construction Angels .
We were contacted by several Associations including the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) of Baltimore, ABC of America, Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) of Baltimore, Maryland Asphalt Association (MMA), Maryland Transportation Builders & Materials Association (MTBMA) who wanted to donate and start an appeal for additional donations. The ongoing national fundraiser, found on our website, will continue to raise funds through May 31st. Because of these organizations and overwhelming support from our industry, we will be able to provide these families with additional funds.
As we continue our mission to provide essential support and aid to the families of construction workers who have tragically lost their lives on the job, your continuous dedication and participation help make a direct impact on the lives of grieving families.
As the first woman-led Construction document service in the United States, SunRay Construction Solutions, under the guidance of Ariela Wagner, serves as a beacon of support and mentorship for women in the industry. Ariela firmly believes in the power of collaboration and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of the women who have supported her journey.
OSHA reports there are well over 5,000 work site deaths each year in the United States, with over 20% of those being in the construction industry. This is approximately 3.5 construction workers killed per day in the United States.
Today, Jim and I are joined with Kristi Ronyak, CEO of Construction Angels. We discussed what the organization does to help the members of the construction family when a loved one is killed on the job.
West Palm Beach police continue to search for the driver responsible for killing a man in a construction zone last week, a local nonprofit organization has stepped up to help the victim’s family.
Construction Angels is helping the family of a man who was hit by a car in West Palm Beach and died five days later.
John Deere has pledged to match donations up to $100,000 made to the Construction Angels nonprofit from November 1 to December 31, 2023, to support family members of construction workers who have died on the job site.
GT Mid Atlantic partnered with the Construction Angels Charity in 2023 after the I-695 Accident that killed 6 construction workers.
GT Mid Atlantic hosted its first-ever Clay Shoot event Oct. 5, 2023, to support Construction Angels. This event took place at Pintail Point Sporting Clays in Queenstown, Md.
The nonprofit supports the loved ones of fallen workers – all funds are raised to give immediate support to Iowa families.
BOMAG Americas raised over $6,400 during the CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2023 show in Las Vegas, Nevada, to support Construction Angels, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.
The non-profit organization’s mission is to provide immediate assistance to the families of construction workers who are fatally wounded on the jobsite.
BOMAG Americas raised nearly $7,000 during the CONEXPO/CON-AGG 2020 show in Las Vegas, Nevada, to support Construction Angels, a 501(C)3 non-profit organization.
We are proud to announce John Deere has committed to matching all donations — up to a total of $100,000 — made to Construction Angels from November 1 to December 31, 2023.
Tune-in to The Patrick Carr Show for an interview with Kristi Gibbs, CEO of Construction Angels. As they discuss who are Construction Angels and how they are helping families in the construction industry across America.
The inaugural Werk-Brau Golf Outing to benefit the philanthropic Construction Angels organization was a resounding success as the event raised over $70,000 to aid families of fallen construction workers in Ohio.
Don’t forget to read up on all the new updates from Maryland Transportation Builders and Materials Association’s Highway Hi-lights!
The MBI EDGE Podcast is an informative conversation designed for commercial builders and their partners in the Midwest. Listen in to their recent pod cast with the founder of Construction Angels, Kristi Gibbs.
Construction Angels supported the families of the six workers who lost their lives in the Maryland I-695 tragedy.
Construction Angels has announced that its scholarship opportunities are now available for qualified applicants, with additional scholarships available to surviving children of a fallen worker.
Not every paver-related original equipment manufacturer (OEM) brought a new launch to World of Asphalt 2022 in Nashville, but some of the iron on the tradeshow floor was seeing its debut for a North American market or for a tradeshow audience.
Today we are announcing the second Annual Dobbs Equipment Golf Classic and ask you to consider partnering with us once again to give back to something larger than ourselves. Your partnership and support is greatly appreciated. Please sign-up today at www.dobbsequipment.com/golf