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MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, PLUMBERS, FITTERS OFFER HELP AND HOPE
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Camp Kon-O-Kwee
Situated on 500 acres in rural Beaver County about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh is a special camp owned and operated by the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh. Called Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer, this 500 acre complex serves more than 17,000 campers annually including boys, girls, men and women of all ages and abilities. Founded in 1926, the camp has grown from a few small buildings for boys to an 85 building complex that includes three dining facilities, including Kramer Hall, a 36,000 foot,$4 million dining hall and conference center built in part by contractors from the Mechanical Contractors Association of Western
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The 36,000 foot Kramer Hall can easily accommodate more than 350 diners at one time. |
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Pennsylvania (MCA) with volunteer labor provided by Steamfitters Local Union No. 449, Plumbers Local Union No. 27, Sprinkler Fitters Local Union No. 542 and Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 12.
Among other work, the mechanical contractors, led by Bryan Mechanical/SSM Industries, lames E. Huckestein
Inc., Ruthrauff/Sauer, and Scalise Industries, installed air conditioning, plumbing, and sprinkler systems, and performed various site work that altogether had a total value of approximately $711,000. The project took 18 months to complete, but the end result was well worth the effort.
"This new addition has given us so much adaptability, said Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer Director Rick Deer. "The kitchen is so versatile and the entire facility gives us unlimited potential in serving all of our children and guests, including those with special needs."
Today, Camp Kon-O-Kwee/Spencer has become a nationally recognized model for camps and features specialized programs for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities, adventure programs for inner city youth-at-risk, senior citizen camping, parent/child camping and environmental education.
"Many of our contractors volunteer their services and materials to worthy causes in the Pittsburgh area," said MCA Executive Director Rege Claus. "From Camp Kon-O-Kwee to Project Heat's On to Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh, our contractors and employees can often be seen on the job lending a helping hand."
In addition to MCA contractors, other general union contractors from the Master Builders Association, including Burchick
Construction Company, Dick Corporation, P.l. Dick/Trumbull, Landau Building Company and Massaro Corporation, also were instrumental in the construction of Kramer Hall.
Other building trade unions which also participated included Beaver Plumbers and Steamfitters Local Union #47, Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters Training Center, IBEW Local Union #712, Ironworkers Local Union
#3, Asbestos Workers Local Union #2, and tile setters from Bricklayers and Allied Crafts Local Union #9.
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| Homes For Our Troops |
On November 12, 2003 U.S. Army Specialist James Fair of Coraopolis was stringing barbed wire around an ammunition supply point in Fallujah, Iraq. A short time later, the Army specialist was blind and without both of his hands, the result of a roadside bomb that also sent shrapnel throughout his body, severely injuring his right leg and causing a traumatic brain injury.
Due to the extent of his injuries, it was evident that his house would need substantial renovations if he were to be
able to move around and function effectively. Thanks to Homes for our Troops and Duquesne Light Company, a call
was for help was issued, not just to renovate his home, but to build a new one.
Among other special features, James' home would need to be equipped with voice activated appliances, controls that could be operated with his feet, proximity readers that could open and close doors automatically and various floor textures in each room so that he would be able to sense, by touch, which room he was in. He would also need special plumbing and bathroom features to accommodate his condition, including a voice activated shower unit. That's when Plumbers Local Union No. 27 stepped up to the plate.
"Working with a local contractor (William G. Tomko and Son, Inc.), we were able to mobilize a team of our experienced
members who wanted to volunteer their service to help Mr. Fair," said Thomas Bigley, Business Manager/Financial Secretary Treasurer of Plumbers Local Union No. 27. "The work was extremely challenging, but highly rewarding."
For nearly a month, Local 27 Plumbers, working at the direction of Greg Costa and in cooperation with other building trade members, worked tirelessly to help make life a little easier for Army Specialist Fair. It was an effort that none of the members will ever forget. |
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