Welding Day to help March of Dimes

 

            Your broken lawn chair or barbecue grill could end up raising some much-needed dollars for the local chapter of the March of Dimes.

The third annual Community Welding Day will be held April 24 at Ozarks Technical Community College with all of the proceeds going to the Bikers for Babies fundraiser for March of Dimes.

“We are proud to partner with OTC’s Community Welding Day to continue advocacy and research for healthy babies. We thank OTC for hosting Welding Day to benefit the work of the March of Dimes,” said Laurie A. Soulsby, director of the Ozarks Division of the March of Dimes.

There are no set charges for the repairs.

 “We end up receiving more that way than if we had a set charge,” said Jim Bridwell, the welding instructor and advisor who heads up the event.

Last year,  repairs raised nearly $1,000.

Anything that needs welding can be brought to the Welding Lab, located on the north side of the Industry Transportation and Technology Center, near the corner of Central Street and National Avenue.

Residents can have their broken lawn furniture, lawn mower decks, wheelbarrows, barbecue grills, tables, gates and trellises fixed. Items made of carbon steel, aluminum and stainless steel can be welded.

The event is part of that day’s larger Community Day at OTC, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on campus.

Student volunteers from OTC’s advanced welding class will make the repairs along with some program alumni, who like to pitch in on the work.

 “It was something I wanted to do for a long time. The students did top notch work for the people who showed up and the repairs they made last year. We didn’t have to turn anyone away. It’s really neat to see the look on people’s faces when they see their items fixed. It’s a good feeling and raises money for a good cause,” Bridwell said.

For more information, call 447-8119.

 Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.