Page 7 - Success Story Newsletter 2019

The Great Lumber Tour!

One of our program participants, Joshua, wanted
a tour of a lumber yard and asked if we could
make that happen. He was curious about how they
processed such massive trees into usable planks
for building. Dawn Kauffman, Senior Direct Support
Professional, decided to make it happen and
planned a trip to 84 Lumber at the Cape May Court
House.

Our group was greeted by friendly staff when we
arrived at 84 Lumber. The Manager at 84 Lumber’s
Pictured above: Participants, Anthony, Danelle, Linda, Grace, Shaun
and Curtis. Accompanied by staff, Kelly O’Donnell and Kelly White. name was Ty and he informed us that this was the
first tour they ever did with the public. He first asked
the group what exactly it was that they were interested in seeing during the tour or information they
would like to know about. The group anxiously shared their desire to learn about construction sites.
One in our group explained her home had a lot of work completed after the storms and flooding
from the year previous. Another in the group asked about the safety protocols they follow, for
example clothing, goggles, and hard hats. Ty explained it all with patience and enthusiasm.

The tour began by showing different items they sell in main part of the building. He explained the
Cape May Court House branch has the biggest lumber yard of all in New Jersey. One ambitious
participant in our group said she needed a
shelf for her pink shoes how would they build
her a shelf for her shoes? Ty explained it
could be made with wood, metal, or plastic
shelving all of which they could provide with
proper measurements. He explained to us the
importance of getting correct measurements
because even being a half-inch off could be
costly to correct and delay completion of the Pictured above: Participants, Anthony, Danelle, Linda, Grace, Shaun and
job. Curtis. Accompanied by staff, Kelly O’Donnell and Kelly White (not shown).

Ty allowed participants to try on the hard hats and take pieces of wood home. At the end of the
tour Ty gave the group a demonstration on how to cut wood and what safety gear was needed. He
wore a hard hat, safety goggles, and gloves during the demonstration and let everyone know how
important that was. At the end of the tour we thanked them for showing us everything and let them
know how enjoyable it was for us all.

- Kelly White, Direct Support Professional | Rio Day Program

LIVE · LEARN · WORK · PLAY Easterseals New Jersey Success Story Newsletter 2019 7