Cornerstone Teams with Roc Solid to Bring Strength and Hope to Kids with Cancer
Cornerstone Building Brands, one of North America’s leading manufacturers of exterior building products, has announced a meaningful new partnership with the Roc Solid Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families fighting childhood cancer. Together, the two organizations will embark on an ambitious initiative: building and donating backyard playsets for children whose cancer treatments often keep them away from public playgrounds.
This initiative represents Roc Solid Foundation’s largest-ever multi-build project launched by a single corporate partner in its 16-year history, marking a milestone not only for the organization but also for the hundreds of families that will benefit. The program will provide children and families with joyful spaces at home—places that restore a sense of normalcy, encourage play, and remind them that hope is still possible even in the most difficult moments.
A Mission Rooted in Hope and Play
Childhood cancer is a life-altering diagnosis that impacts not only the child but also the entire family. Treatment schedules are intense, immune systems are compromised, and families are often isolated from the everyday experiences that once brought them joy. Something as simple as a trip to a public playground can pose significant risks for children with weakened immune systems.
By partnering with Roc Solid Foundation, Cornerstone Building Brands is helping to address this gap. Backyard playsets give children undergoing treatment a safe space to laugh, climb, and imagine—restoring some of the carefree fun that illness often takes away. The project is not simply about installing equipment; it’s about creating an environment where kids can just be kids, even in the midst of cancer treatments.
Eric Newman, founder of Roc Solid Foundation and a childhood cancer survivor himself, put it best:
“We are thrilled about the partnership with Cornerstone Building Brands, which is helping us reach more families fighting pediatric cancer than ever before. At Roc Solid, we truly believe that play defeats cancer, because when kids are playing, cancer is the last thing on their minds. It’s so much more than a playset, and we are excited for Cornerstone Building Brands to experience the impact this will have for years to come.”
Newman’s words underscore the central mission of Roc Solid Foundation—to use the power of play as a tool for healing, resilience, and joy.
Building Hope Across Communities
The initiative officially launches in September, aligning with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Playsets will be built and delivered to families in multiple states, reflecting Cornerstone Building Brands’ wide presence across the country. Communities that will see playset builds include North Carolina, Texas, New Jersey, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, Tennessee, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Illinois, and Virginia.
By focusing efforts in these areas, Cornerstone Building Brands ensures that the initiative directly benefits families who live in the same neighborhoods as its employees. The effort not only strengthens ties with the communities where the company operates but also provides employees with a meaningful way to give back.
Gunner Smith, CEO of Cornerstone Building Brands, emphasized this connection:
“Cornerstone Building Brands is proud to support Roc Solid Foundation’s mission to build hope through the power of play. We take pride in manufacturing a broad portfolio of exterior building products, including Ply Gem®, Simonton® Windows & Doors, Mastic® by Ply Gem, and Mueller, Inc., that make homes stronger across our communities, and it’s our privilege to build these playsets that will help make these homes places of relief and happiness for children and families who need it most.”
Smith’s remarks highlight an important point: homes are not just structures. They are sanctuaries. By creating play environments in the backyard, Cornerstone Building Brands and Roc Solid Foundation are reinforcing the idea that homes can also be spaces of joy and healing.
Connecting Communities Through Action
The partnership with Roc Solid Foundation is a natural extension of Cornerstone Building Brands’ Connecting Communities program, which serves as the company’s platform for volunteerism, charitable giving, and community engagement. Since its launch in 2022, the program has generated significant impact:
- More than 4,000 volunteer hours contributed by employees
- Over 1,600 team members engaged in community-focused activities
- Support for more than 150 nonprofit organizations across North America
- $262,000 in charitable giving directed toward causes ranging from disaster relief to housing access and youth support
The program is designed to channel the energy and skills of Cornerstone employees into projects that make tangible differences in people’s lives. Whether it’s responding to communities in crisis, supporting affordable housing, or engaging in youth initiatives, the Connecting Communities program reflects the company’s deep belief in corporate social responsibility.
The Roc Solid partnership builds on that momentum, providing another opportunity for employees to get directly involved in life-changing work. Volunteers will have the chance to assemble playsets, interact with families, and witness firsthand the joy their efforts bring to children fighting cancer.
Roc Solid Foundation: A Legacy of Impact
Founded in 2009 and based in Chesapeake, Virginia, Roc Solid Foundation has become a beacon of hope for families navigating childhood cancer. The organization is best known for two key programs:
- Ready Bags Program – Families often arrive at the hospital with little or no preparation when their child is diagnosed with cancer. Roc Solid provides Ready Bags filled with essentials like toiletries, comfort items, and gift cards to ease the burden during those first overwhelming days.
- Playset Builds – By constructing backyard playsets, Roc Solid provides families with a safe space for children to play and parents to relax, helping to normalize life during treatment.
Since its inception, Roc Solid Foundation has impacted thousands of families. Its programs are fueled by the belief that joy, laughter, and play are not luxuries but necessities in the fight against pediatric cancer.
A Partnership That Extends Beyond Business
While Cornerstone Building Brands is best known for its broad portfolio of exterior building products, this initiative demonstrates that the company’s vision extends far beyond its commercial operations. It is about using its resources, workforce, and industry leadership to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
The partnership with Roc Solid Foundation sends a powerful message: companies can do more than manufacture products or generate profits—they can help build stronger, more compassionate communities.
Through this initiative, Cornerstone Building Brands employees are not just constructing playsets; they are building memories, hope, and moments of normalcy for families who need them most. The collaboration underscores how industry leaders can leverage their expertise and manpower to address human challenges in ways that transcend business as usual.
The launch of this initiative during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is particularly fitting, as it brings national attention to the struggles faced by families dealing with pediatric cancer. By aligning with Roc Solid Foundation at this time, Cornerstone Building Brands amplifies the broader conversation about how communities can rally together to support these families.
As playsets are installed in backyards across the United States, each one will stand as a symbol of resilience, hope, and the enduring power of play. For the children who climb them, these playsets will provide moments of laughter and escape. For parents, they will serve as reminders that their communities—and companies like Cornerstone Building Brands—stand with them in solidarity.
