Bates students give old P-I newspaper boxes fresh paint, purposeful new lives

I never thought I’d write something cheerful about the demise of the print edition of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The P-I was the alum in the pickle of Seattle journalism – the agent that kept it crisp and gave it bite.

The resulting herds of unemployed journalists are troubling, too. It’s discomfiting knowing there is a colleague equally, or probably more, competent thinking they’d like my job.

But mainly I’m just sad about the loss of a good paper.

So Chelsea Lindquist’s call was a happy surprise.

It’s her job to spread good news about Bates Technical College, and she had some, beyond the fact that Bates is a makeover heaven where you can get a great haircut for $4, or a mini spa facial for $7.

The students in Bates’ sheet metal course are recycling obsolete P-I paper boxes, Lindquist said.

Those paper boxes aren’t being melted, crushed or exported to a benighted nation that still demands news in print.

They have jobs. They’re staying local. And they’re getting Bates makeovers.

They’ll be out of the weather, in malls and shops and public places, working for The Lions Club.

University Place Lions past president John Anderson contacted Bates sheet metal technology instructor Steve MacKay with an irresistible opportunity combining skills training and philanthropy. The Lions had 300 P-I boxes, and a plan to turn them into receptacles for donated eyeglasses, hearing aids and cell phones. Would the students like to do the work?

MacKay liked the community outreach element. He liked the fact that the work would be fine and technical. He was pleased that Gensco would donate 114 sheets of blemished sheet metal, a $4,500 value, for the materials.

And he had a proposal for the Lions.

“I asked if they would be able to put together a $1,000 scholarship twice a year,” he said.

The Lions were happy to oblige.

MacKay had just the student to tackle the project first, and two more to take it over after the August vacation.

Slava Cosoi was close to completing the program, moving on to Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 66’s job board, and earning a family wage.

MacKay turned the first boxes over to Cosoi, along with the Lions Club design that replaces the plastic face with a metal one with three deposit drop slots.

First off, Cosoi took off the collection box at the top and sanded the old welds flat.

It took him two days, he said, to get the rest of the measurements perfect, and sort out latches and rivets and punches.

“We made a master pattern first,” he said. “Then we cut on an assembly line.”

After that, he said, they could convert a box in half an hour, working at the fast pace that the private market demands. The boxes are then sent off to be painted in Lions Club blue and yellow.

Cosoi graduates from Bates today.

In September, his successors will get on with the job. Joseph Larsen and Evan Nighswonger have impressed MacKay with their focus, drive and speed.

Both have a connection to the boxes’ new purpose.

“Without glasses, I’d be blind as a bat,” Larson said.

Nighshwonger depends on glasses and two hearing aids.

“They get pricey,” he said.

“So this will be rewarding,” Larsen said.

MacKay has encouraged them to apply for those $1,000 Lions Club scholarships.

“Each of them is a cut above,” MacKay said. “Every one of those students knows I care about them, but I’m not warm and fuzzy.”

Then he proved that last phrase.

He looked at a P-I Box, advertising daily papers for 50 cents, the Sunday edition for $1.50, and exhorting passers-by to call 624-READ for convenient home delivery.

“I think The News Tribune is not far behind,” he said.

Gee, Steve. Thanks. I think you’re wrong.

But if you aren’t, I hope News Tribune paper boxes find a noble re-purpose equal to those of the P-I, and that Bates students do the makeover.

Kathleen Merryman: 253-597-8677

kathleen.merryman@thenewstribune.com