You may recall an article, “The Human Side of Metal,” in The World of Welding in Fall 2006.  (http:/www.welding.org/newsletters/fall2006/human.html).  One of the young welders involved in that project was Christina “CC” Morrison of Assabet Valley Vocational High School.  Here she shares the following observations, reflecting on how metal work can make people feel better. 

Community Service  

I won’t pretend that I have any words of wisdom or know how to solve all of the world’s problems because I don’t. I won’t pretend that one person can ease the pain of all those just trying to survive because that will never happen. I don’t know where to even begin when it comes to those kinds of things but what I do know is this; it is important to give back, to help others in any way you can. Until you have been down on your luck you will never know how much a simple thing like a Christmas card, piece of art, or even a quick hello can mean to someone. When life gets rough, its easy for people to forget the good in humanity, and for the disabled—for those singled out since childhood because they were born “different”—it can be even harder.

Imagine being 5 years old and losing your sight, or living your entire life without seeing the face of your best friend. For some of the students at the McGreal Sight Center in Concord New Hampshire that is exactly what they have faced. When I was given the chance to “brighten” up their day and learning environment I jumped at it. Not only would this piece appeal to the sighted and vision impaired it would be something they could enjoy together. It would give them something that both could talk about and enjoy anytime they wanted.

I have learned that there is nothing more wonderful than discovering that people really do care about what happens to you. If adding a piece of metal work to a school would make people feel better about themselves and their lives than what reason is there not to do so? The reactions of those at the McGreal Sight Center proved just how far a little community service can go.

As the holiday season rapidly approaches people are becoming more and more generous, showering friends with gifts and donating money/food to different charities. People who are down on their luck, disabled, or even just trying to improve their lives for their children are around all year long. This time of year often seems to make people think more about community service, but there are still many who “fall through the cracks” each year. Children and adults who think no one care so they turn to drugs, violence, or even suicide. There’s always the little girl who talks funny and the little boy who is confined to his wheelchair or the family who is on the verge of losing everything due to circumstances beyond their control. Reach out to them if you can. Sit down and talk with them.

Community Service doesn’t have to be a big event; it could be just 5 minutes of your time. If you don’t give back to the people around you, the society that like it or not, has allowed you to be where you are today, than who’s to say someone will be there when you need them to be. Do not think of the disadvantaged as a plague on society, think of them rather as the people they can be if only they had a little help or acknowledgment from someone who cares.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Contributions to the community surrounding Assabet Valley Vocational High School have become part of the Metal Fabrication / Welding Program.  Instructor Neil Mansfield shares how the students have been making a difference in people’s lives in and around our local communities by volunteering their time and demonstrating their creative talents in helping others who are in need.

Our metal fabrication program is designed to teach young men and women to become skilled metal workers and welders in today’s job market. In addition to learning and developing technical skills, however, they are learning civic duties that will help them become active volunteers in their communities as they become parents and community members themselves. 

Our students and teachers have been helping organizations such as:

• Boy Scouts of America (Metal Working Merit Badge Program Troop 12, and Troop 338)

• Am-Vets American Veterans (hand railings, ornamental sign)

• N. H. Association for the Blind School (the school’s front entrance ornamental grill)

• The town of Fitchburg  (public blacksmithing demonstrations)

• Dick Hoyt and his disabled son Richard’s Boston’s Marathon and Iron Man (racing bike and wheel chair)

• The town of Lexington (elementary school public metal working demonstration)

• Minuteman Technical H. S., Old Colony Vocational H. S. (Our students demonstrated and taught other vocational students creative metal working skills on weekend workshops.)     

In sum, our goals in the metal fabrication department have always included introducing our students to the value of community service and encouraging them to become better citizens in their own communities.