Greenville industrial arts program revived and renovated

By Mike Lange
Staff Writer

    GREENVILLE — Thanks to a sizeable grant from Lowe’s Home Improvement along with donations of equipment, cash and labor from local residents, the Greenville Consolidated Schools industrial arts (IA) center has a fresh new look this year.

    Union 60 Superintendent Beth Lorigan credits Janet Chasse for recruiting volunteers to get the program off the ground. “She named the group ‘If I Had a Hammer,’’ Lorigan said. “They raised over $2,000 in cash and Morrell’s Hardware really stepped up to get the program started. In addition, Hammond Lumber gave us a significant discount on purchases.”
    “John Morrell (owner of Morrell’s Hardware) has been outstanding,” Chasse said. “Right at the beginning, he set up a display in the store where people could buy something for the IA shop and put it in the box marked for the school. He is usually one of the first people to jump in on community projects.”
    The big boost came from Lowe’s “Toolbox for Education” program for improvements to schools that will have a “permanent impact” in the community. The application also specified that projects “that encourage parent involvement and build stronger community spirit will be favored.”
    Since 2006, “Toolbox for Education” has provided more than $36 million in grants to 8,000 public schools, benefiting more than 4 million schoolchildren, according to the Lowe’s website.
    Greenville Consolidated School was awarded a grant of $7,480 toward the end of last year, and began adding equipment to the shop in the spring. Dave Morrill, who took on the additional duties of IA instructor along with his position as guidance counselor last year, started replacing obsolete equipment and adding new tools to the shop. The money raised by “If I Had a Hammer” helped pay for new stools, a dust collector, shop vacuums and other items.
    Chasse, Morrill, Lorigan and the group spent most of Monday, Aug. 19 cleaning the shop, washing the walls and painting the center in time for the new school year. Helpers included Chasse’s son, Tyler; Christina Warman, Chelsea Warman, Noel and Linda Wohlforth and custodians Rick Higgins, Carl Henderson and Sawyer Murray.
    Chasse also credited Lorigan for taking a “hands-on approach and supporting the program. I’ve always believed there needs to be more electives for kids who need to learn life skills.” Chasse said that in recent years, “The push has been to send every kid to college, but some families can’t afford it; and many kids graduate with a degree and can’t get a job in their field. But there’s always a need for someone who knows how to swing a hammer.”
    There are 16 students in two classes enrolled in the industrial arts class this year.“But I anticipate more in the future,” Lorigan said.