Allegan Public Schools’ industrial arts programs have been benefitting from this “season of giving,” as community members and organizations have come forth with generous donations to help provide students and their instructors with the materials and tools they need.
This past summer, L.E. White Middle School Industrial Arts teacher Bob Sikkema was contacted by the family of Chuck Hopkins, a longtime Allegan resident, talented woodworker, and APS supporter who had passed away in 2020. They informed Mr. Sikkema that they had a plethora of quality wood that was owned by Mr. Hopkins that they wanted to donate to his program. “It’s speciality wood,” Mr. Sikkema said. “It’s material that woodworkers use. It’s good stuff.”
Mr. Sikkema said he hauled away a heaping truckload of materials and that his students will be able to use it for several years to enhance some of their projects. For example, students were able to use this wood to produce higher-quality cutting boards (see this issue’s cover), a favorite project in Mr. Sikkema’s class.
As the cost of building materials continue to rise, Mr. Sikkema was very grateful that the Hopkins family thought of him and his program. “Keeping costs down for kids is my main goal,” he said. “I just appreciate the family for thinking about the school and for being willing to donate this, as it has been a big help for my students and for Allegan Public Schools.”
Allegan High School has also recently benefitted from a generous donation, as Ritsema Associates—a company that has worked on several projects at Allegan Public Schools—reached out to APS Director of Facilities Connor Kirkpatrick about making a donation to its industrial arts program.
Several members of the Ritsema team—including APS alumni Joseph Broderick, Norman Overhiser, and Candi (Nightingale) Dykstra—visited AHS Industrial Arts teacher Kenny Whitcomb’s class to speak to the students about their career paths and to bring them t-shirts and six new Milwaukee drills.
“I view this donation as one part of an extended relationship between a contractor and an organization like our school,” Mr. Whitcomb said. “Hopefully, by supporting the program, we can prepare students to eventually either be customers or employees and in the long run that dynamic will help both of our groups flourish.”
