Auto and aviation techs at Hoffman Estates High benefit from Rotary’s Operation Toolkit

Graduating seniors in Hoffman Estates High School’s mechanics program each received $2,000 tool kits for their future education and careers from a Rotary-funded not-for-profit aimed at meeting the demand for skilled trades professionals.

Both the Rotary Club of Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates and the Schaumburg A.M. Rotary Club collaborate on Operation Toolkit and were represented at last month’s presentation to the students.

Dan Origer, founder of DJ’s Auto Service Center in Schaumburg, is both a Rotarian and obviously someone professionally aware of the need behind the organization’s specific 501(3)(c) program.

“Don Minor and James McKenzie both started a program many years ago,” Origer explained. “They were just giving money for the trades. Dave Ligman is the Hoffman Estates High School auto teacher. Five years ago, he asked if the Rotary would be interested in buying tool boxes instead of just money. So both A.M. Schaumburg Rotary and the Hoffman/Schaumburg Rotary teamed up to put this program together.”

In addition to the two Rotary clubs, assistance was received this year from NAPA Auto Parts, which stepped up and helped with the pricing so two more tool kits could be bought this year than previously. Amperage Electric in Roselle also supplied an electrician's starter kit at a discounted price, Origer said.

Thirteen auto tech students and three aviation tech students received the tool kits at Hoffman Estates High, with more to follow at Conant and Schaumburg high schools, he added.

The overall mission of Operation Toolkit now includes helping build the trades of auto mechanics, electricians, carpenters, plumbers, pipe fitters, steamfitters, welders, HVAC-R technicians, chefs and head cooks.

Its mission statement is “To remove financial barriers by providing job-ready tool kits and/or scholarships that help aspiring tradespeople confidently enter their chosen careers.”