Press Release

In November, Floorcoverers Local 2168 members Jorge DeBurgo, Paul Vilela and Luis Daya traveled with Local 2168 Business Manager Mynor Perez to Cabo Verde. They, along with dozens of Boston painters, nurses, police officers and firefighters partnered with the Cape Verdean Nurses Association to work on a hospital’s renovation project on the island.

Their work at the Agostinho Neto Hospital included a complete refurbishment of a children’s playroom in the pediatric department, which was dedicated to Boston hero, Sergeant Montrond. In 1996, Montrond immigrated to the U.S. from Cabo Verde and settled in Boston. Ten years later, at the age of 27, he was killed during combat in Afghanistan. To honor the life and legacy of Sergeant Montrond, the grand opening of the newly renovated playroom was on Veteran’s Day.

“The Carpenters union is not just about building structures in New England and New York; it’s also about helping to build lives beyond our jurisdictions, in our greater communities,” said Perez.

The playroom allows children to play and enhance their emotional, cognitive, social, physical and psychomotor development.
“It was heartwarming to see the children’s faces at the ribbon cutting and know we contributed to ensuring a safe and secure space for them,” added Perez. “The staff were very grateful to Local 2168 for donating and installing the flooring materials for
the room.”

Jorge DeBurgo, who has been a member of Local 2168 for almost 30 years, is a native of Cabo Verde so these volunteer efforts and donations from the Carpenters union were particularly meaningful.

“I volunteer regularly with Local 2168 and have traveled with the Carpenters union to Haiti to help with relief efforts there after the earthquake in 2010. Going to Cabo Verde in November with my Brothers to volunteer our skills and assist my hometown community was certainly very special,” said DeBurgo.