Plumbers Local 34 members and apprentices provide repairs to an elderly Roseville homeowner during Water’s Off. From L to R: retiree Al Aschenbrener, apprentice Jason Chrysler and journeyman Jim Schumann. Said Aschenbrener, “As long as I’m still moving, I will be here to help out.”
Volunteer plumbers provided an estimated $70,000 worth of service and repairs to senior, low-income and disabled homeowners in Minnesota during their unions’ annual Water’s Off day of service March 25.
The program, begun in 1994, is a joint effort sponsored annually by Minnesota plumbers’ unions and their contractors to give back to the community – and raise awareness of the importance of conserving water. Plumbers donate their labor, contractors donate supplies and community agencies, including Ramsey Washington Community Action Partnership, identify homeowners in need of assistance.
This year the effort drew 181 volunteers, including 76 from St. Paul Plumbers Local 34. In all, plumbers provided assistance to 108 homeowners in Minnesota, logging 905 hours of volunteer work.
The service day kicked off with a breakfast banquet, where Gov. Mark Dayton presented plumbers and their contractors with a framed proclamation declaring Water’s Off Day in Minnesota.
Union Advocate 