Carpenters give back to veteran in need
Indianapolis, Ind. - In November 2016, members of Locals 301 and 615 of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) volunteered their skills and partnered with Rebuilding Together Indy to help a homeless veteran. At the corner of East 23rd Street and North Arsenal Avenue rests the family home of Lewis Morris, a veteran of the Marines. The house had been in the Morris family since 1972 until Lewis Morris’ sister passed away a few years ago. When she passed away, the house became property of the city.
Homeless and having nowhere to go, Lewis Morris began sleeping in the backyard of his old family home. City Contractor Tony Roberts visited the home one morning and he found Morris asleep in the backyard. It was at that moment that Roberts decided to help Morris, and he started by purchasing the home from the city for $2,000.
After catching word of Morris and his family home, IKORCC members were eager to help. Marcos Martinez of Local 301 commented, “As a former Navy service member, I appreciate Mr. Morris’ military service. Being able to give back to a fellow veteran in our community is what giving back is all about.” Local 301 and 615 members generously donated time and skills needed to replace the subfloor in the house and install new kitchen cabinets.
With the money saved by Local 301 and 615’s donated labor, Rebuilding Together Indy was able to buy $2,500 of appliances for the home. In a combined effort between the city, local assistance programs, generous individuals, and Locals 301 and 615, Lewis Morris is now back on track and has a safe place to call home.
Thank you to Jeff Gielerak, Marcos Martinez, Scott Yates, Jayson Johnson, Steve Hoyt and Gary Trough of Local 301 and Andrew Jones of Local 615 for your generousity!
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