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ILMO Employee Brings Welding Skills to Haiti- 2/22/2010ILMO Product Company’s Branch Director, Gailyn (Gay) Cornell returned from a mission trip to Calebasse, Haiti, where she taught remote, mountainous community how to weld and teach welding to others, 4 days before the devastating earthquake in January. Armed with equipment and supplied donated by ILMO Products Company and Lincoln Electric, Cornell was able to teach her students how to weld with power from a generator. She recalls, “The students were so enthusiastic and the look of excitement when they mastered their first weld was unforgettable and incredibly rewarding! Our first project arrived on the second day. It was a bed with almost every existing weld broken. Then more beds, grills (the primary form of cooking), chairs, and other items began to roll in. The students took so much pride in being recognized as welding students that, even when we were not in class, they kept their welding jackets and gloves on until it was time to pack everything up at the end of each day.” For Cornell and others, the trip highlighted the need for an ongoing welding trade program, as well as a way for those armed with the skills to leverage it for profit. “All of the equipment and supplies were left behind as the property of the church, with Lelly, an outstanding student, as the coordinator and instructor,” Cornell said. “All involved were thrilled that the next welding clinic was scheduled for the following Saturday, and we knew this skill would change so many things for them. Each bed that was repaired meant that someone didn’t have to sleep on the floor that night. Each grill that was repaired meant that someone could cook dinner. The church was planning to do local repairs for nominal fees to help defray the cost of gas for the generator, so big plans for ongoing improvements were in place.” Then, on January 12, a quick 4 days after Cornell returned, the earthquake hit. She has a plan to return when the time is right, and suggests the following to the welding industry and those who hear about her involvement: “We need equipment donations, smaller generator welders, diesel if possible, oxy fuel cutting equipment, and related supplies for immediate use.” Monetary donations can be made to www.Hearts4Haiti.org. 
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