Plumbers & Pipefitters, LU 333, of Lansing, Michigan has certainly suffered its share in the downed economy but not enough to prevent the Local from giving generously to others in need.  In February the Local donated enough money to underwrite a team of four to travel to New Orleans to lend Helping Hands.

“Helping Hands” is one part of the larger group that serves New Orleans since 2005.  It joins with AmeriCorps and others who utilize local and national volunteers to gut and clear the homes of the elderly, the disabled or those uninsured who were victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Through Local 333’s donation, specifically, four Lansing skilled volunteers worked for five days in the upper and lower ninth ward.

Volunteers’ quarters were in need of plumbing repair.  Four running toilets were repaired as well as the Sloan valve problem addressed; sprinkler piping was re-hung.  An outdoor five-stall shower facility, built for volunteers, was re-plumbed since all of its pipes were frozen in New Orleans’ January freeze; copper pipe was removed and replaced with pex.  The walls were torn down and rebuilt because of severe water damage.  In addition, two laundry trays, waste and water piping were installed at the volunteers’ merchandise and tool warehouse.

It is unions that have built this country to its strength and its greatness.  Even in difficult times, trade unions show the way; that way is paved with the union’s labor and the laborer’s compassion and generosity.

New Orleans salutes Plumbers and Pipefitters, LU 333.

For more information on the New Orleans Helping Hands project, go to www.handsonneworleans.org.

(Submitted by David E. Greenburg (Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 333) one of the volunteers who traveled to perform work in New Orleans the week of Feb. 2-5).