About 350 volunteers from St.Paul Pipefitters Local 455, Minneapolis Pipefitters Local 539 and the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association gathered at 6:30AM at the Continuing Education & Conference Center on University of Minnesota's St.Paul Campus. A large breakfast was served and some special guests shared stories and expressed thanks and appreciation for the work that's been done over the years.
Speakers included Sen. Mark Dayton, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Representative (and fellow pipefitter) Tim Mahoney, and UA Rep Tony Rohrer, a founder of HEATS ON. Mahoney said he "was going to join you in the field today and lets see what we can do." McCollum said that she "is already hearing from people worried about seventy percent increases in energy costs this winter and this is one reason why the Heat's On program is so important." County Commissioner Janet reitman told the group that "the reality is that you're giving a lot of people some piece of mind."
After breakfast, dozens of two-person teams were formed and were given assignments from a list of homes chosen by local human service agencies. The teams were prepared to examine furnaces and boilers, clean dirty filters, note any serious situations that may need further assistance, and make sure smoke alarms were functioning and properly placed, and had new batteries. If a new alarm was needed, a parts runner delivered one from the union hall.
Dan Sundsmo, Local 455 and a twenty-year veteran of "HEATS ON," said he was grateful for the chance to participate. "When you walk away from the house you know people are safe. Also, those people helped pay for me get to an education with their tax dollars so this is a way for me to give something back."
Said Ellen Legler, a three year participant from Local 539, "People are so grateful for the help. One house I visited 2 years ago was occupied by a man in his sixties who lived with his father who was bedridden. They'd had no service in a couple of years. Many people can have serious problems but they don't think to check or just can't. Some people are also glad to see us because they're lonely and glad for the company."
"The twenty year success of "HEATS ON" proves that unions, business and government can work together in partnership," said Steve Petterson from the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association.
"HEATS ON" (Handicapped and Elderly Assistance To Service Our Neighbors) was started in Minnesota in 1986 and has grown into serving communities in several states. In Minnesota, "HEATS ON" has provided more than 21,165 volunteer hours of heating system services to 5,316 households valued at over $2,078,000.
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Early Saturday morning Pipefitters from St.Paul, Minneapolis, St.Cloud and Mankato gathered to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the annual “HEATS ON” program before heading out to perform inspections and repairs on furnaces for elderly and handicapped local homeowners.
About 350 volunteers from St.Paul Pipefitters Local 455, Minneapolis Pipefitters Local 539 and the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association gathered at 6:30AM at the Continuing Education & Conference Center on University of Minnesota’s St.Paul Campus. A large breakfast was served and some special guests shared stories and expressed thanks and appreciation for the work that’s been done over the years.
Speakers included Sen. Mark Dayton, Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Representative (and fellow pipefitter) Tim Mahoney, and UA Rep Tony Rohrer, a founder of HEATS ON. Mahoney said he “was going to join you in the field today and lets see what we can do.” McCollum said that she “is already hearing from people worried about seventy percent increases in energy costs this winter and this is one reason why the Heat’s On program is so important.” County Commissioner Janet reitman told the group that “the reality is that you’re giving a lot of people some piece of mind.”
After breakfast, dozens of two-person teams were formed and were given assignments from a list of homes chosen by local human service agencies. The teams were prepared to examine furnaces and boilers, clean dirty filters, note any serious situations that may need further assistance, and make sure smoke alarms were functioning and properly placed, and had new batteries. If a new alarm was needed, a parts runner delivered one from the union hall.
Dan Sundsmo, Local 455 and a twenty-year veteran of “HEATS ON,” said he was grateful for the chance to participate. “When you walk away from the house you know people are safe. Also, those people helped pay for me get to an education with their tax dollars so this is a way for me to give something back.”
Said Ellen Legler, a three year participant from Local 539, “People are so grateful for the help. One house I visited 2 years ago was occupied by a man in his sixties who lived with his father who was bedridden. They’d had no service in a couple of years. Many people can have serious problems but they don’t think to check or just can’t. Some people are also glad to see us because they’re lonely and glad for the company.”
“The twenty year success of “HEATS ON” proves that unions, business and government can work together in partnership,” said Steve Petterson from the Minnesota Mechanical Contractors Association.
“HEATS ON” (Handicapped and Elderly Assistance To Service Our Neighbors) was started in Minnesota in 1986 and has grown into serving communities in several states. In Minnesota, “HEATS ON” has provided more than 21,165 volunteer hours of heating system services to 5,316 households valued at over $2,078,000.