By Jason Fincke, Executive Director
Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.

Pittsburgh, PA -- More than 400 craftsmen and women including carpenters, laborers and electricians from local building trade unions will be joining forces this Saturday, April 26, 2008, to help rehabilitate 31 homes in the Pittsburgh area as part of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh’s “2008 Rebuilding Day.”

Sponsored by local union contractors and other businesses and organizations, Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh has organized and overseen the renovation of nearly 1,000 homes, community parks and other facilities at a donated cost of $5.6 million since its inception in 1993. This year’s donated time and materials are expected to total approximately $500,000, much of which comes from volunteer union labor.

“We could not be as successful in reaching out to help local citizens who do not have the financial means or capabilities to renovate their own homes without the generous support of the union building trades,” said Cindy Gilch, executive director of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. “Their skills and helping attitudes are an integral part of our program and our mission.”

Among those businesses and organizations sponsoring homes at a cost of $3,500 each are P.J. Dick, Inc., Mascaro Construction Company LP, Dick Corporation, the Master Interior Contractors Association and Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union #5, and the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania.

Building trade union workers from the house sponsors named above as well as from the International Union of Operating Engineers Local Union #66 are strong supporters of Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and participate in other house renovation projects sponsored by the non-profit agency throughout the year.

“More than 300 union carpenters will be volunteering their services on April 26 to help area senior citizens and other individuals who don’t have the financial resources or mechanical skills to perform repairs on their own,” said Bill Waterkotte, Assistant Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Greater Pennsylvania Regional Council of Carpenters.

“They’re not in it for the publicity,” Mr. Waterkotte said. “They do it because they care about our community and enjoy helping others who don’t have the means to help themselves.

I am always extremely proud and grateful of our members who each year come out in great numbers to pitch in. We never have trouble asking or finding volunteers.”

“We are delighted to once again participate in Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh and are stepping up our efforts this year to offer our services as skilled electricians,” said Michael Dunleavy, Business Manager of IBEW Local Union #5. “As locally trained electricians, we know how overwhelming electrical repairs can be to senior citizens and we are pleased to be able to provide our services for such a worthy cause.”

Among the neighborhoods and communities where union tradesmen will be volunteering their services this year include Uptown, Polish Hill, Greenfield, Homestead, McKeesport, Wilkinsburg and Pitcairn, among others. Repairs range from installing new roofs, stairways and upgrading electrical services to landscaping, painting and window replacement.

“Many of the repairs we make turn out to be potential life savers,” Ms. Gilch said. “When previewing houses, it is not uncommon for us to find excessive radon and other gas levels which could prove to be lethal if not corrected. In virtually all cases, the homeowners are not aware of such potentially dangerous and damaging conditions.

“The house captains and workers who volunteer to help each year are not just repairmen and women to the homeowners and their families. They are angels.”

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For further informaton:  Jason Fincke:  412-921-9000

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