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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (December 19, 2008) — This morning, students enrolled in South Tech Academy’s Auto Body Repair program unveiled a 1985 Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle (ERV) that they have worked to renovate since 2007 at their campus in Boynton Beach. Larry Casey, new CEO of the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, presented certificates of appreciation to the various parties that contributed to the project including: the many students who worked on the vehicle during class time, South Tech Academy instructor Earl Murray, Terry’s Auto Paints, Gator Auto Glass, Fire Training Officers of the Palm Beaches, Boynton Beach Fire Rescue, and Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Division Chief Ray Altman.
Winner of the student essay competition regarding what the students learned while working on the project was announced, with the winning essay being read aloud and the recipient, Richard Warren, receiving gift cards to Wal-Mart, Dunkin Doughnuts, and Best Buy. In his essay, Warren proclaimed “If I am ever in the same position as the disaster victims or other people who are in need of assistance, I hope that the generosity of other people would help me to get out of the predicament that I am in.”
The students took on the project under the direction of their instructor Earl Murray and Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Division Chief Ray Altman, who wanted to teach them technical skills and civic responsibility. Altman has kept an ongoing relationship with South Tech Academy since 1997 when he happened upon an open instructor position at the school while looking over the facility for potential fire hazards. Over time, Altman has worked with South Tech Academy staff and students to restore the Boynton Beach Fire Rescue Special Operations Trailer, restore a 105-foot aerial platform fire truck, retool a retiring ambulance, and more. Altman’s ten years as a professional auto body and paint technician and a collision damage appraiser were particularly useful in repairing the ERV. The project relied on donations of products, time and finances, and cost an estimated $6,280.000.
South Tech Academy students have been working to restore the Red Cross’ 1985 ERV since 2007. The historic vehicle was the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross’ first ERV. The students worked to repaint the outside of the vehicle, replaced the windshield, and fixed the vehicle’s doors, panels, and fenders. Minor repairs were also made to the emergency vehicle’s interior. The newly-renovated ERV will become part of the fleet of vehicles used at the Red Cross Okeechobee Service Center, allowing the work of the students of South Tech Academy and Boynton Beach community members to extend beyond the reach of their city and into Okeechobee.
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About the American Red Cross:
For over 90 years, the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which includes Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach Counties, has provided relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and families. The American Red Cross, a charity and not a government agency, depends on voluntary contributions of time and money to perform its humanitarian mission. To learn more about the work of the Red Cross in communities, or to make a donation, please call 561-833-7711 or visit our website at www.redcross-pbc.org.
