Legrand Volunteers Spend Community Service Day at Hartford High

Employees of CBIA member company Legrand, North America of West Hartford recently spent at day of community service at Hartford Public High School, working alongside students and staff to build a solar-powered storage shed, picnic tables, and landscape the grounds.
The Legrand Green Apple Day of Service was held Sept. 23 at the school on Forest Street in Hartford.

Legrand employees raised funds this summer at their leadership conference, then a team of 15 volunteers went to the school to erect the shed in what will become the school’s community garden and do other work.
More than 25 students and staff members worked alongside the Legrand volunteers.
The students split into teams with Legrand employees, who showed them how to use tools and construction techniques in assembling the shed.
Later, the teams assembled picnic tables, raised planter beds, and trimmed trees.
“It was a great day,” said Mark Makwinski, Legrand’s director of innovation and advanced design.
“Our entire team was impressed with the students we worked with, and we are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Hartford Public High School.”
Dave Mangus, a teacher at the school’s Academy of Engineering and Green Technology, thanked the volunteers for their work—and the knowledge and skills they shared with his students.
“It was a huge success,” Mangus said. “Together, we built the shed, and picked up a huge pile of trash from the campus and surrounding neighborhoods
“They built three picnic tables, pulled weeds, and moved 10 yards of mulch to the landscaped beds surrounding the school.
“Legrand is a great partner for HPHS, and I continue to be amazed at the hard work accomplished by of our staff and students during this annual event.”