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In addition to helping making electrical repairs to several homes throughout the Pittsburgh area, Local 5 sponsored and performed an assortment of electrical repairs to a home in Ross Township owned by Evelyn Dennler. A resident of the home for 12 years, Mrs. Dennler's home was in serious need for new lighting, wall outlets and wiring upgrades.
The widow of a volunteer fireman, Mrs. Dennler had become so concerned about the safety of her home and of her dog that she would sleep with glasses of water next to her bed in the event of fire. While she tried to pinch pennies to pay for the repairs, other needs prevented her from being able to hire an electrical contractor.
"The condition of the wiring was so bad that I couldn't even get insurance," Mrs. Dennler said. "I didn't know what r was going to do."
That's when Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and the IBEW stepped up to the plate. Because of her age and financial status, Mrs. Dennler was eligible for the repairs, and she was "tickled pink" when selected. Her appreciation to the staff of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and to the members ofIBEW Local S including First Year Instructor Ken Morris, who served as the house captain, was overwhelming. A crew of first and third year apprentices spent the entire day working in Mrs. Dennler's home and everyone seemed to understand how much their work was appreciated. Her gratitude was evident in her smile and in her voice.
"I think I'm going to cry," she said while resting on her front porch.
"I'm just amazed."
In addition to Mrs. Dennler's home, union building trade workers spent the day (and in many cases multiple days) repairing homes in other neighborhoods and communities including Preston, Uptown, Greenfield, Sharpsburg, McKeesport, Wilkinsburg and Penn Hills, among others. Repairs ranged from installing new roofs, stairways and upgrading electrical services to landscaping, painting and window replacement.
In many instances, the repairs made are much more substantial and important to the lives of area residents.
"Many of the repairs we make turn out to be potential life savers," Cindy Gilch said. "When previewing houses, it is not uncommon for us to find faulty wiring and hazardous gas levels which could prove to be lethal if not corrected. In virtually
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IBEW apprentice Anthony Kramer kneels alongside Evelyn Dennler while a crew of union electricians upgrade electrical services in her home.
Employees of Mascaro Construction Company LP spent weeks leading up to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh Day replacing the deck and performing a multitude of other repairs to the home of James and Barbara Bassano, center. Among those standing on the Bassano’s new deck are Mascaro Sponsor Captain Jan O’Connor, far left, and, standing behind Mr. Bassano, Mascaro House Captain Bill Greb.
TEDCO employee Dave Zajak, a union carpenter, prepares a floor for new carpeting in this woods Run home. |
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all cases, the homeowners are not aware of such potentially dangerous and damaging conditions. Next year's Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh Day will take place on Saturday, April 2S. While the number of homes to be worked on has yet to be determined, there is no doubt that the skills and volunteers eff0l1s of union building trade workers will be desperately needed to make the program successful and ease the fears of senior citizen home owners like Mrs. Dennler.
"The house captains and workers who volunteer to help each year are not just repairmen and women to the homeowners and their families,"
Mrs. Gilch said. "They are angels."
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