Mishawaka Building Trades class receives over $5K from local union to replace stolen tools

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- In downtown Mishawaka, the Mishawaka Building Trades class is remodeling a house built in 1902, and on Sept. 17 their tools were stolen from the property.

Mishawaka Building Trades Program Supervisor Dennis Murphy said, "Went through the house and took all of our bins of tools that we had, that the students have, some of their tool belts, compressor, and everything actually is logo engraved. So, I don't know if they're thinking they're gonna be able to sell it or whatever, but it's pretty hard to when it actually has our logo engraved into it."

After it was broken into, Councilwoman Lacy Hahn contacted the Central Midwest Carpenters Union to see if they could help provide the students with replacements for the tools that were stolen.

The union was able to put together a grant check to give to the students to replace their stolen tools.

The check, worth $5,500, which is just over the value of the tools that were stolen, was presented to the students Thursday morning.

"We know these careers are good, healthy, prosperous careers for these students who provide good insurance, pensions, annuities, let them retire with dignity after a long career in the construction industry. So, we want these kids to have the tools that they need. If this is the career they want to go forward in, we're here to help them," said Scott Calentine, representative for the Central Midwest Carpenters Union.