Wehrung’s Cares, a non-profit division of Wehrung’s Family of Businesses, has donated $5,000 in store credit to the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) to purchase cordless power tools. The credit can be used to buy equipment at any Wehrung’s Lumber & Home Center locations in Ottsville, Chalfont, Collegeville, or Macungie.
Michael Sykes, MBIT building trades occupations instructor, said the donation goal is to purchase battery-operated tools for students in construction trades programs to help them prepare for construction industry jobs.
“A large percentage of contractors have already moved to cordless tools,” Sykes explained. “The Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Washington, D.C. is moving away from allowing corded tools on job sites because of trip and fall hazards. Buying all cordless tools and giving our students practical real-world experience in how to use, care for and maintain their tools will be valuable to their professional careers.”
“The new partnership with MBIT in Jamison provides Wehrung’s Cares with a route to invest in the next generation of construction trades professionals,” said Kim Wehrung, Wehrung’s Cares public ambassador. “We are hoping to establish a continuing relationship with MBIT and provide opportunities for the students to visit our store and manufacturing plant to see the many ways their education can be applied in the construction industry.”
“We can take our students on on-site visits and show them real-world applications and speak to those working in the field,” added Sykes.
In February 2023, Associated Builders and Contractors.org reported that an estimated skilled trades worker shortage of about 546,000 workers would be needed to meet construction sector labor demands. In 2020, during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Wehrung’s Cares formalized its community service and engagement. In 2023, Wehrung’s Cares supported over 120 different community organizations.
Wehrung’s Family of Businesses located in Bucks, Montgomery and Lehigh counties are also able to provide special pricing on certain products for non-profit organizations.
