Students' work will help a local nonprofit spread holiday cheer
Welding students at Francis Tuttle Technology Center got into the holiday spirit a little early with its latest project.
Dozens of Christmas-tree-shaped light fixtures were put together by Matt Manaugh’s afternoon Welding class. They were donated to Fields of Hope, a rehabilitation facility that focuses on helping women recover in safe, sober environments.
The local organization planned to put up a holiday lights display. The proceeds raised through donations will be used to help Fields of Hope.
Students at the Portland Campus used shop tools and had to improvise a little bit to put together the tree-shaped light fixtures. Instead of using a machine to bend the circular base, they had to do it by hand, similar to how old wagon wheels were built.
Though it wasn’t the most difficult task Welding students perform every day, constructing light fixtures for a local nonprofit was fun and fulfilling. Manaugh said he hopes to do it again next year.
“I’d like to try and make this a yearly thing,” he said. “As they continue this thing, we could build more stuff like this for them. That way, it’s different for us every year, and it gives them a little something different to add on each time.”
