Loring Job Corps Masonry Students with the assistance of their Masonry instructor, David Tardie bought holiday gifts for local needy children. By using the arts of their vocation the masonry/cement students created beautiful colored birdbaths and benches that were donated for $30 and $40 respectively. This year they raised over $1500.00 to purchase needed clothing and toys for boys and girls of Aroostook County. This program has been overseen by David Tardie for over 10 years and over $15,000 has been raised to be donated to local agencies like HOPE and Justice Project, Catholic Charities and area schools and churches.

 Last week before the student’s winter break over a dozen masonry students were given children’s names to shop for with a $90.00 budget with the child’s age, clothing size, gender and a toy request. All students when completed mentioned how it made them feel good to do something for someone else. That was one of Mr. Tardie’s reasoning for starting this program to teach his students the importance that given back to the community or another individual is rewarding in itself.