Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Class Creates Firepit for PAWS Fundraiser
Bill Rakonczay’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) Class started their spring break on an uplifting note by doing something nice to help some shelter animals.
Dominick Ciliberto and his brother Mickey own Planter Box Direct and All Metal Works and wanted to do something nice for a local charity. They reached out to the AME class, at the Orleans Career and Technical Education Center (OCTEC), to see if they could create a custom firepit to help fund a charity of the class’s choice. After some deliberation between Mr. Rakonczay and his students, they decided they wanted to help out PAWS Animal Shelter in Albion, NY. Student Javier Hamilton from Lockport High School volunteered to create the piece. “I was glad to help out someone who takes care of animals,” he says.
Not only did Dominick and Mickey pay for the firepit that PAWS will use for a fundraiser over the summer, they also made an additional monetary donation to the AME class and to PAWS to help offset veterinarian bills for their shelter’s animals. “We were so happy to be able to help out this amazing organization,” says Mr. Rakonczay. “Thank you to Dom and Mickey for their generosity. This project made us all feel great!”
March 27th, Dominick met PAWS Shelter Supervisor Patty Coffee and shelter volunteer Melinda Whiting at the Orleans/Niagara BOCES classroom where Javier presented the firepit he created. Patty and Melinda brought along an adorable puppy Toby, who was rescued from a high kill shelter in Texas and will be looking for his forever home soon. If you are interested, contact PAWS at Paws14411@gmail.com. “We want to thank the OCTEC AME Class, Dominick, Mickey, Planter Box Direct, All Metal Works, Javier, Marcus Hamilton, Megan Campagna and Melinda Whiting for helping us raise money,” says Patty Coffee. “We are so lucky to have such a great support system from the community. We could not keep our doors open without you!”
Photo Caption: Dominick Ciliberto, Javier Hamilton (Lockport), Melinda Whiting with Toby and Patty Coffee.