Richard Query, a retiree living at the Idlewild Creek Apartments, has a workshop in his garage full of woodworking tools and equipment. His arsenal goes beyond the simple hammer, screwdriver, and saw, but he needs some good men and women to put them to use. That’s why he spoke to about two dozen senior citizens, at Munger Cottage last week, trying to gauge whether or not Cornwall would support a community service workshop.
“America has lost its reliance on craftsmanship,” Query said to his audience. “Everything is pre-made.”
Query’s goal is to create a non-profit workshop to serve the needs of others in the community such as building ramps, bookshelves for teachers, or even a small table for a child who doesn’t have a desk to complete schoolwork.
A questionnaire was passed out asking the seniors if they’d be in favor of the effort or not, if they’d like more information as it becomes available, or if they have other services to offer to the cause such as experience as a carpenter, other trade skills, or experience with crucial business issues such as accounting and taxes for non-profits, legal, or city/county requirements.
Query is eager for the community to support his idea, but he realizes there will be obstacles along the way.
The first is establishing a self-sustaining project. There would need to be some source of materials at a reduced price or perhaps donated by a business that gets involved with the project. The products would need to be produced at cost with minor overhead for depreciation of equipment. A fund raising project could include the construction of a boat to be auctioned in order to cover expenses.
The second hurdle is finding a work space. Query said his garage is an option, but a larger space, the size of a two-car garage, would be needed for larger projects.
Anyone who’s interested in contributing to the effort may contact Query by e-mailing ollie072@aol.com or by calling 845-534-2760.
