Apprentices Give Back to St. Paul

Last month, the North Central States Regional Council of Carpenter’s (NCSRCC) apprentice training program spent time giving back to communities in need around St. Paul, Minnesota. The Exterior Finish, Interior Finish and Wood Framing apprenticeship classes, comprised of approximately 45 men and women, built two picnic tables, three play houses and 15 little libraries placed around the city to benefit families and children in need.

On Thursday, July 19, 2019, Mayor Melvin Carter kicked off a celebration dedicating the little libraries, picnic tables and play houses at Healthy Homes Community Garden in St. Paul. The placement of the projects was determined in conjunction with the mayor’s office. One playhouse has been placed at a community garden in St. Paul and the second within the Birmingham Apartment complex. The third playhouse will be donated in the near future. 

Bench and playhouse placed at an apartment complex in St. Paul.

NCSRCC Training Center Instructors Dan Simacek and Wade Carrigan helped coordinate building the projects, arranged their deliveries and managed installation of the little libraries in their permanent locations. The Free Book Buggie is donating children’s books to help fill all of the little libraries. The NCSRCC donated the materials for all of the projects.

Photo to left: St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and Carpenter Training Instructor Dan Simacek help fill the little libraries with books.

Photo above: Bench and playhouse placed at an apartment complex in St. Paul.