Little Friends, Inc., a private non-profit based in Naperville, Ill., received extensive amounts of emergency tools, manpower, material and equipment from Meade Electric and IBEW Local Union 701 after learning of massive repairs were immediately needed at their adult day services facility located in Downers Grove.
Underground electrical wires supplying electricity to Little Friends’ adult school and workplace were causing a multitude of issues. “The wires were only buried about three feet underground, fried, and literally melted when we discovered them,” said Kristi Landorf, president & CEO of Little Friends.
After learning about the issue, PowerForward DuPage quickly intervened and contacted IBEW Local 701 and one of its members — Meade Electric — for assistance. Almost immediately, Bob Hutchinson and crew were at the facility to complete the job.
“When we first heard about the situation, we had to do something. It’s for the kids,” said Frank Furco, business manager of IBEW Local 701. “Whatever it took, we were there.”
Landorf said had Meade not stepped in, Little Friends would have been shut down for at least two weeks.
“You don’t do that to people with autism, all they have is their routine. Their entire world would be disrupted if we had to shut down,” Landorf said. Meade Electric supplied generators to power Little Friends during construction and laid down metal plates in the parking lot for Little Friends’ buses to get by.
“They did everything,” Landorf added. “Meade was extremely flexible, accommodating, and were absolutely understanding about not disrupting the workflow at Little Friends. We are so grateful!”
Meade Electric completed the work in one week. “They never stopped moving the entire time to get this done for us. It’s very genuine. They never blinked,” Landorf added.
