J. F. Ingram State Technical College welding students are known throughout Alabama’s River Region for creating custom made barbeque grills. Welding instructor Chris Ingram said the grills are a good way for students to hone skills they will be using on the job. Projects range from backyard units embellished with the logo of a favorite sports team to oversized grills on trailers for community events.

Recently, three welding students, who are members of the Beta Psi Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, partnered to use their skills on a community service project benefitting the Prattville (AL) YMCA.

Sponsor Keith LaFrance, whose children are enthusiastic members of the YMCA, shared with Beta Psi Gamma members that his local YMCA grill was in need of repairs. It didn’t take long for the welders to come up with a plan. A local business sponsored the cost of the repairs and the students completed the work in less than a week.

The students presented the new grill top to YMCA branch executive Keith Cantrell, who thanked them for their support. “What a blessing to our YMCA to partner with members of the Beta Psi Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa to make repairs to our grill, said Cantrell. “YMCA’s are nonprofit organizations that rely heavily on the support of others to be able to get things done.”

Photo caption: Prattville YMCA director Keith Cantrell with ISTC welding students James Moore, Gregory Maggard and Mitchell Coate.