Alexandria Rotary Club Service Project with Cornerstone Craftsman

The Alexandria Rotary Club recently concluded a successful supply drive benefiting Cornerstone Craftsman, an Alexandria-based non-profit organization. The drive aimed to equip Cornerstone with essential tools and safety gear to further their mission of providing paid skilled trades training to students aged 12-17. Through hands-on projects, classroom instruction, mentorship, academic and other wraparound supports, Cornerstone seeks to support Alexandria youth who may not be on a four-year post-secondary track in pursuing economic self-sufficiency via high earning careers in the construction trades.

Rotary Club members demonstrated their commitment to the cause through generous individual donations totaling nearly $1,000. The drive resulted in a collection of nine pairs of steel toe work boots, tape measures and a comprehensive contractor first aid kit.
Beyond individual contributions, Alexandria Rotary Club President Jim Carmalt spearheaded a partnership with Village Hardware to significantly boost the drive’s impact. Through this collaboration, Village Hardware facilitated a substantial donation of 20 toolboxes filled with high-quality tools from Stanley Tools. This contribution will provide Cornerstone Craftsman with the necessary implements to complete their projects efficiently and effectively. Armed with appropriate gear donated by Rotary, Cornerstone Craftsman pre-apprentices donned their new steel toe boots and were able to visit the $1 billion Clark Construction Inova Hospital active build site in the week following the drive’s conclusion.

This successful supply drive will significantly aid Cornerstone Craftsman in its work, empowering the team to continue their valuable contributions to the community. The donations will not only improve the pre-apprentices’ efficiency and safety, but also reduce Cornerstone’s operational costs, allowing it to focus more resources on its core mission. The Alexandria Rotary Club’s initiative exemplifies its dedication to supporting local organizations and making a tangible difference in the community.

This supply drive was coupled with February’s Career & Technical Education (CTE) month. Later in the month the Rotary Club of Alexandria also welcomed Dr. Tricia Jacobs, Director of CTE at Alexandria City High School, to speak about the three vocational scholarships that are sponsored by the club each year.

SUBMITTED BY: RU TOYAMA, PI CHAIR – ROTARY CLUB OF ALEXANDRIA