Public Relations & Volunteer Spotlight February 2005

Volunteer Spotlight Story County High School Building Trades Class Continued growth at Heartland Senior Services creates the on-going challenge of finding space for expanding programs and new participants.  Answering the immediate call for more office/activity space is the Story County High School Building Trades Class and their instructors Joe Brend and Tim Schwind.   Their volunteer work these past few weeks, along with building supply donations from local businesses, has been a godsend. The Story County High School Trades Class was founded seven years ago in response to educational gaps in career training.  Seven Story County high schools joined forces to provide on-hands training for several career areas.  This semester 42 students have registered for on-the job training in building trades within Story County.   They complete various projects within the community as a learning experience and receive 2 hours high school credit and 7 DMACC transferable hours.  Local businesses are generous to support this worthwhile cause in which everyone comes away a winner. The four students assigned to the Heartland project are Jeremy Denmon, Steve Lucas, and Scott Baumgardner from Ballard High School; and Nate Stidolph from Woodward/Granger High School. They have constructed and finished two walls in the process of combining three office spaces and creating an enclosed activity space.  They will then install workstations to complete the project.   The cost would have been prohibitive without this volunteer force and the generous donations of Munn Lumber, Ames Construction Supply, Sherwin-Williams, Lowe’s of Ames, and E-Markets. Every day participants at the Senior Center check out the student’s progress, so it has been a learning experience for everyone.  Heartland is grateful for this fine volunteer program and the training it provides our leaders of tomorrow. Previous Volunteer Spotlight Honorees