PAMCANI 'Be A Water Cop - Save Every Drop' Winners

Students in grades 3 through 6 who reside in either DeKalb, DuPage, Kane or Kendall counties participated in the 17th annual water conservation poster contest sponsored by PAMCANI (Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Authority of Northern Illinois.) This year's theme was "Be a Water Cop – Save Every Drop."

In all, nearly 400 posters were submitted, and the fall 2010 Grand Prize winner was Victoria Kruzel, a fifth grade student at Winnebago Grade School in Glendale Heights, Illinois. Classmates from the same school, fourth grader Nicole Micucki and fifth grader Shauntel Henderson, also were recognized for their posters with "Honorable Mention" designations at a special event at Marquardt Middle School on the evening of Dec. 15, which revolved around a musical and performance-based program for the student body and their families in the spirit of a "Green Christmas."

As a result of Victoria's poster being chosen for top honors, PAMCANI bestowed $2,000 in computer supplies to her school, along with checks totaling another $150 for items that Winnebago may use as it sees fit. The winning artist received a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, and her two fellow winners each earned $75 Savings Bonds. Art teacher Lauri Eccles and principal Mary Brandt were instrumental in encouraging the students to submit entries and were on hand at the presentation.

Photo by Diana Peters courtesy of PAMCANI
The PAMCANI 2010 Grand Prize poster contest presentation took place on Dec. 15 during the evening program for students, families, faculty and guests at Marquardt Middle School in Glendale Heights. Pictured from left: PAMCANI Executive Director S.J. Peters; Honorable Mention recipient Shauntel Henderson (grade 5); Grand Prize Winner Victoria Kruzel (grade 5); Art Teacher Lauri Eccles and Principal Mary Brandt. Not pictured: Honorable Mention Recipient Nicole Mikucki.

At the assembly, PAMCANI Executive Director S.J. Peters congratulated the winners and the school, while explaining the goal of water savings. "Even though more of the world has water than land, we're only able to use 1 percent for our needs," he pointed out. "Not too long into the future, water will be scarce — unless we take measures to make wise and efficient use of it. In Australia, water conseration is a necessity because their supplies are far lower, and in 10 years the U.S. will be in the same predicament. That's why education and attention to this topic is critical, and you've done your part. We are already taking steps to re-use water, waste less, and create products and methods to make it last. The contractors of PAMCANI take this seriously, and aim to save water and energy while keeping society healthy, safe and comfortable. We're counting on you too," he concluded.

Poster content encouraged water conservation and was judged for originality, design and theme topic. Top posters can be viewed at PAMCANI's website: www.pamcani.org. For information: 630-960-3970.

PAMCANI affiliated contractors that offered their shops as "drop off" locations for the schools included: Artlip & Sons - Aurora; Paul Buddy Plumbing - Aurora; Professional Plumbing - Barrington; K.W. Kraft & Sons - Batavia; Abbott Industries - Bensenville; G's R Plumbing - DeKalb; F.J. Bero - Elgin; Glinke Plumbing - Hinsdale; Hagerty & Son in Montgomery; Belle Engineering in Naperville; R.J. Kuhn Plumbing in Oswego; J.L. Wagner Plumbing - St. Charles; Armbrust Plumbing - Wheaton; Action Plumbing - West Chicago; Apex Plumbing - Wood Dale; and Martin Plumbing - Yorkville.

PAMCANI is comprised of nearly 400 union contractors and associate members who provide and maintain plumbing, heating and cooling systems for institutional, commercial, business and residential applications. This nonprofit trade organization, which is signatory with UA Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 501 (Aurora, IL) and UA Plumbers Local 93 (Volo, IL), invests over $3 million annually in the promotion, advancement, education and training of apprentices, journeymen and contractors, and actively works to raise awareness about water and energy conservation. Headquartered in Downers Grove, PAMCANI covers DuPage, DeKalb, Kane, Kendall, Lake and McHenry counties.

This article originally appeared in the Fox Valley Labor News December 23, 2010