Falls Church, Va. — The impact of recent flooding in Louisiana can be seen in photos from the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Apprentice Training School in Baton Rouge. According to Climate.gov, the Baton Rouge area received well over a foot of rain in 48 hours. The Amite River just east of the city rose over 30 feet, breaking past flood records going back to 1921 by six feet.
The PHCC Baton Rouge Apprenticeship School received about 3 feet of water and is facing significant repairs and reconstruction to the building.
Jerry Payne, a PHCC member who runs the school, reported that “we lost a lot of the furniture. We need desks for the students, new conference tables and a replacement for our copier machine that was two feet underwater. We’re starting to put things back together, but help would be very appreciated.”
Of the supplies damaged, the school lost about 50 PHCC Educational Foundation plumbing textbooks, published by Cengage Learning. Needing to replace the books as quickly as possible, but faced with heavy costs to repair the school, they contacted the Foundation for help.
Working together with Cengage, the Foundation’s leadership quickly approved funding to replace the school’s books at no cost, saving the school more than $3,500. The books are on their way and restoration work has been started at the school, with debris, soaked drywall and insulation being removed by the instructor and apprentices.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks. This once again proves that PHCC and the Foundation are truly a family. When one member suffers we all suffer and get behind them to lend a helping hand. Many thanks again,” said past PHCC—National President Keith Bienvenu, Bienvenu Brothers Plumbing, Harahan, Louisiana.
THREE WAYS TO HELP
Direct Support: Contact Julie Fuselier at the Louisiana PHCC Chapter (225-344-0620) or Jerry Payne directly (225-413-0685) if you wish to contribute materials or funds to assist with the school’s restoration.
Contribute to the Foundation: Past contributions to the PHCC Educational Foundation provided the funding to replace the textbooks for the school— and provide the education, training and help contractors need every day. Make your gift online at www.phccfoundation.org/invest or by calling (800) 533-7694.
Contribute to the PHCC Disaster Relief Fund: Donations may be made to the PHCC—National Association’s Disaster Relief Fund to help support members whose businesses have been disrupted by major disasters now and in the future. Please visit www.phccweb.org/disaster-relief if you wish to donate.
About PHCC Educational Foundation
The PHCC Educational Foundation, a partnership of contractors, manufacturers, and wholesalers, was founded in 1987 to serve the plumbing-heating-cooling industry by preparing contractors and their employees to meet the challenges of a constantly changing marketplace. For more information, contact a member of the Foundation staff at 800-533-7694 or visit www.phccfoundation.org.
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