Local Carpenters Union Wraps Up Summer of Service

The carpenters of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) are wrapping up a busy Summer of Service. Carpenters that are members of the local carpenter’s union volunteered their time and talents to contribute to the community through multiple projects throughout the course of the summer.

The IKORCC kicked off the summer with a five day project for Leon’s Triathlon, an annual race held in Hammond. Union apprentices fabricated the bike racks and trusses for the chutes for the cycling portion of the race. This is the fourth year the carpenters have participated in Leon’s Triathon. All proceeds from the event benefit Folds of Honor, an organization that supports the families of fallen soldiers through scholarships and other opportunities. “We love being able to volunteer for Leon’s Triathlon. Not only does it provide our apprentices with an opportunity to exercise their skills, but it also allows us to be part of supporting Folds of Honor. We consider it a privilege to play a small part in honoring the sacrifice of our fallen soldiers,” said Mike Kwiatkowski, Senior Representative of the IKORCC.

In late June, the IKORCC teamed up with Catholic Charities to tackle a Habitat for Humanity project. Habitat for Humanity was a natural fit for the carpenters, allowing them to use their expertise to help provide a family with a great home with solid construction. Duane Dedelow, Executive Director of Catholic Charities commented, "The carpenters were a tremendous help on the Habitat project. We couldn't have gotten it done without them. We really appreciate their hard work, dedication and effort on this project."

The months of July and August kept the carpenters busy with two major events. The IKORCC carpenters volunteered four days of service to set up and tear down scaffolding for the Pierogi Fest in Whiting. Tom Dabertin, Chairman of the Pierogi Fest and President of the Whiting-Robertsdale Chamber of Commerce, said, “The annual Pierogi Fest in Whiting draws more than 300,000 visitors from throughout the United States and abroad, and has garnered widespread acclaim. One of our key partners in holding this three day celebration is the IKORCC who helps with our set up and the transformation of Downtown Whiting into one of the nation’s wackiest festivals. Due to IKORCC’s invaluable assistance, our festival is always guaranteed to be a success.”

In early August, the Cal Ripken World Series was hosted for the first time in the city of Hammond. The carpenters volunteered their time for a two day set up and an additional day for tear down. When asked about the IKORCC’s volunteer efforts, Doyle Godbolt, executive director and marketing coordinator for the Cal Ripken 2013 Major/60 World Series, said, “The Carpenters union played a vital role in the success of he 2013 Cal Ripken World Series held here in Hammond. The Hammond Optimist Youth Sports Organization is very grateful to Union #599 as they were able to get us 800 square feet of carpet donated by one of their union companies. Master Tile and Carpet out of Merrillville, IN provided the carpet that was installed immediately the next day by volunteers from the union hall. The carpenters also assisted in structuring the scaffolding used to provide WebTV broadcast for fans across the country. Without them we would not have met the criteria sought by Cal Ripken World Series National Committee to provide the type of environment expected from our National Headquarters.

The carpenters finished up their Summer of Service with two great September projects. The IKORCC lent their talents to the Hobart Pop Warner Little Scholars to renovate the existing bleachers and press box at Aaron Cooper Field located in Hillman Park, Hobart. Ryan Pendleton, President of Hobart Pop Warner said, “To grasp the amount of work the carpenters of the local union have donated to Hobart Pop Warner, 160+ man hours in two days, is overwhelming.” Later that month, the carpenters partnered with the city of Griffith to build a wheelchair ramp for a family needing to make their home fully accessible.

When discussing the Summer of Service, IKORCC Senior Supervisor Tom Dorsey referenced the local support they receive in their volunteer efforts. “The support of our contractor base has been significant and has tremendously increased what we can do in and for our community. It’s a true partnership for community service.” Safway Scaffold of Hammond donated scaffold for Leon’s Triathlon and the Pierogi Fest. Hasse Construction also provided logistic support for Leon’s Triathlon. Brand Scaffold supplied the scaffold for the Cal Ripken World Series, and Master Tile of Merrillville donated the carpet used for the press box.

Carpenters of the IKORCC will continue to volunteer their expertise throughout the course of the year. Mike Stavitzke, Senior Manager, IKORCC said, “It’s not only our obligation, but it’s also our privilege to give back to the community in which we live and work. The IKORCC is blessed with tremendously talented individuals who enjoy their trade and love to use it to serve. We are lucky to live and work in the community we love, so it makes the choice easy.”

The Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters represents more than 32,000 professional tradespeople in 43 locals in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and parts of West Virginia and Tennessee. A proud affiliate of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, which has a century-plus tradition of representing the best of the building trades, the council works in partnership with more than 30,000 contractors, helping them find the best possible talent for their projects. The hallmark of the regional council is three-fold: training, professionalism and partnerships for economic development.