Every once in a while, the local Carpenter’s Union likes to help those who are in need. It’s done without the cameras of a television show, but the passion for assisting those in dire situations is unmatched by such television shows. And this passion for helping is apparent in the motive for Carpenter’s Union 1800’s community service.
The Carpenter’s Union recently donated its time and labor to build a wheelchair ramp for an elderly Santa Maria woman, who was unable to go in and out of her house because of her limited ability to walk. She is also afflicted with kidney disease.
According to union members, if the organization had billed the woman for the ramp, it would have cost around $400 to $500.
“When someone is in need and cannot cover the need financially, we help,” Carpenter’s Union 1800 member Mike Contreras said. “We like to do community work.”
The union donated the labor of their apprentices, who are students of the craft, and the Southwest Carpenter Union donated the materials needed for the ramp.
In fact, it was an apprentice who came up with the idea of building this ramp since the son-in-law of the woman is an apprentice with the union.
This community project is the third in recent months that the union has spearheaded for the benefit of the public.
“Union or not, we don’t discriminate on who will get help,” Contreras said.
Intern Henry Houston compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jun 24 – Jul 1, 2010.