We attended the celebration of graduates this year at Buena Vista High School where my wife Mary presented one scholarship, and that was special. Yet what further evolved was a surprising blessing, so wonderful that we decided to share our story here. We were impressed that so many graduates applied for these scholarships, and a select few earned multiple scholarships. One young man in a baseball cap with a large frame and a big smile kept getting up as his name was called to accept yet another scholarship (Eli Flowers was awarded eight scholarships that night). He received accolades and praise from all presenters for his character, personality, and welding expertise.
We had been on the hunt for a bike rack and right in front of us was a celebrated apprentice welder! That was enough to start the conversation, introductions were made and we started down that path. Our needs shortly evolved to a greater need for ADA-compliant hand railings on our new ramp into the PWC Annex. Eli was excited to work for us, and a few weeks later was deeply involved in fabricating our new railings under the supervision of John Burt and his wife Becky of Arkansas Valley Welding. It turns out they had been mentoring kids to develop a trade in welding ever since John (former BVHS welding instructor) had gone into business for himself. Eli was their current graduate on his way to a two-year stint at Front Range Community College in Fort Collins.
We became his first client; he had two very different tasks to bring to completion for his summer job. He drew up a sketch after our brief meeting for the bike rack and our architect Tim Pleger provided scaled drawings of the railings, which needed to comply with the Uniform Building Code and Chaffee County's final inspection once completed. They quickly signed off, we painted the railings, and we are thrilled with the workmanship!
We had the satisfaction of putting some real money into his pocket for the two jobs completed on time and just before he left for Fort Collins on August 16th. This brought us new friends and the satisfaction of investing in one of our town's most promising young men. Both jobs were done to specification, expertly, and are now in use. Our gratitude is great; our community delivered. Eli came into our lives and the Lord blessed him with the right mentors (thank you again John and Becky) and a first customer. Stay in touch Eli, we love you man!
Rich Willard
Managing Director
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