The tool library at Greater Michigan Construction Academy has expanded, thanks to a generous donation from Milwaukee Tools allocated by Midland County’s Long Term Disaster Recovery Group.
“Thank you to the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group for allowing us to be a part of this community outreach,” said Stephanie Davis, president of Greater Michigan Construction Academy. “Being able to provide all the tools through this donation will allow numerous members of the community access to be able to complete those projects that they can’t get to or finish because they don’t have the means. Anyone in the community is able to get in touch with us and check out tools just like a book at the library.”
Greater Michigan Construction Academy (GMCA) received five pallets of new tools donated by Milwaukee Tools, Davis said. Established by GMCA in 2018, the tool library provides useful everyday tools for the community to use through a check-out program at zero cost.
Holly Miller, president and CEO at United Way of Midland County, serves on the county’s Long Term Disaster Recovery Group. She said Milwaukee Tools kindly reached out to United Way to donate the tools as part of flood response efforts. Partnering with the GMCA tool program allows that donation to have impact for years.
“We are so grateful to Milwaukee Tools for this donation, which will be a great resource for community members working to rebuild their lives,” Miller said. “We wanted to ensure the tools were accessible by everyone in the community and could help the most people, which is why we determined GMCA’s tool library would be the perfect fit.”
Davis said a variety of tools are available through the library, including: yard tools, tree loppers, hand tools, power tools and yard equipment. They have also loaned out wheelbarrows, leaf blowers, chain saws, weed whippers, jigsaws, drills, sanders and more. Anyone renting out a tool from the tool library must sign a waiver. GMCA also hosts tool clinics to give people a chance to learn how to use the tools prior to borrowing them.
Davis said she hopes these tools can help the community, especially those who faced flood damage.
“My heart goes out to all of the flood victims and families,” Davis said. “If these tools can help those families get back on their feet, then I know I’ve done my part. Between the help from United Way, the Long Term Disaster Recovery Group and Milwaukee Tools, we are blessed to be the keeper of these tools. It gives me goosebumps.”
To rent out tools from the GMCA tool library, call Greater Michigan Construction Academy at 989-832-8879.
