A group of sheet metal workers from Local Union 33 came to the rescue of the United Way of Youngstown in Mahoning Valley recently by assembling 150 bicycles for a summer children’s program.

The United Way’s “Success by 6” program is a pre-kindergarten readiness program offered in 18 school districts across the Valley. Students attend a summer program that prepares them for academic, social and emotional development. Part of that program calls for the use of youth bicycles, and that’s where the local union workers gladly stepped up.

Organized by Kevin Rogers, Local 33’s Youngstown Apprentice Coordinator, apprentices, staff and other volunteers spent six hours – 102 man hours in all – assembling the bikes.

“It was a great project to be involved in,” Rogers said, who became Local 33’s coordinator in January. “Our next project involves apartments for disabled vets for the Youngstown Metro Housing Authority. We will be installing ductwork. Our apprentices already built some of the duct, which makes for a great learning experience for them and helps our community at the same time.”

Helping the apprentices build the bikes were Travis Hoskinson, Local 33 Business Agent; Jesse Wright, Local 33 Apprenticeship Committee Trustee; Chris Stellato, Local 33 Executive Board; Scott Durr, Local 33 Youngstown Building Committee Chairman; Bill Keel of the United Way; and Lorie Rogers, photographer and caterer.