Nick Casiero Jr. and Nick Casiero, who are cousins, spent three days last week refacing the school stage, at no charge. They're part owners of Square Foot Hardwood Flooring, a family-run business in Mississauga.
When the cousins heard their former school was fundraising to repair the stage floor, they were only too happy to help.
"I remember helping to build one of the stage set-ups for a fashion show (when I went here)," said Casiero Jr., who graduated in 1996. "I remember nailing some sets into the floor…so I lent a helping hand to ruining the stage, now I lend a hand to repairing it."
That helping hand came in the way of free labour, materials and equipment use, which represents a savings of about $3,400, said Pocock principal Henry Tyndorf.
"Offering to do this kind of volunteer time is exceptional," Tyndorf said. "We hope this is the start of something new."
Casiero, who was part of the 1988 graduating class, didn't hesitate to offer the free labour and materials.
"It was great to come back here, see my old teachers; it was like a reunion," he said.
The Casieros heard about the school's project through family friend and Pocock School Council vice-chair Mike Mercurio. During the school year, students raised $2,300. That money will now be used to repair the school's chapel.
"These are the types of projects that we don't usually get around to; there's always something more pressing," Tyndorf said.
He added the stage was in terrible condition, being a focal point of activities for a busy school with three bands, three annual plays, Christmas and spring concerts and graduation ceremonies, to name a few.
"I'd say the stage is used at least three times a week during the school year," said Tyndorf.
jslack@mississauga.net
