As construction proceeds on Phase II of St. Joseph’s facility master plan, members of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 43 and the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Finger Lakes Chapter are devoting their skills and hard work to make sure the largest construction project in the hospital’s history is of the highest quality. And they’re devoting something above and beyond that -- $75,000 to the Generations Campaign in support of the project.

As a result, St. Joseph’s new elevator lobby will be named in appreciation of IBEW/NECA.

“This project is good for this community, and our members support it,” says Don Morgan, business manager for IBEW Local 43. “We really believe in giving back.”

Marilyn Oppedisano, executive manager for NECA’s Finger Lakes Chapter, reinforces that commitment. “Together, IBEW/NECA does so much in the community to improve the quality of life where our members live and work,” she says. “We have a long history of charitable support, and it keeps growing.”

IBEW, established 114 years ago, represents approximately 1,200 electrical workers locally, and NECA, founded 110 years ago, represents more than 50 contracting firms in the area. Working together, they sponsor the Central New York Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee to provide skills training in energy efficient technologies, such as solar photovoltaic systems and other green innovations, which are intrinsic to St. Joseph’s plans. Each has a long relationship with the hospital, and bases its charitable donations on hours worked.

“Our revenues are based on hours worked, and our monies to charities derive from that,” Morgan says. “The more we’re able to put our members to work, the more we are enabled to support worthy charitable initiatives, and we believe strongly in what St. Joseph’s is doing throughout Central New York.”

St. Joseph’s is privileged to join a number of other health and human service organizations that benefit from IBEW/NECA’s community focus, including their Red Hat Sponsorship of the American Heart Association, the United Way of Central New York, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Hospice of Central New York, Newspapers in Education and Habitat for Humanity.

When visitors to St. Joseph’s walk through the new lobby to ride in the elevators, they can feel good knowing that IBEW/NECA made them work… in more ways than one.