La Crosse Area Builders Association donates $16,000 in tools to 33 area high schools

ONALASKA, Wis. (WKBT) -- The La Crosse Area Builders Association presented local teachers from over 30 schools with $16,000 worth of tools Tuesday night for the 25th annual Tools for Schools event. 

Educators and association officials said the power tools and raw materials schools get from this event can go a long way toward encourage careers in the trades.

"It really gives the kids the best opportunity to use current tools that contractors are working out on the job sites," said Holmen tech education teacher Dan Lilla. 

"We're just hoping they get to utilize these tools in the classroom, and it's setting them up for their future career," said LABA official Becky Dagendesh.

Since 2001 the organization has donated more than $180,000 in tools.