School thanks Doug Schilke or donations to shop classes
By:Donna Lukiw
When Doug Schilke, president of Schilke Construction Co. on Valley Road, realized what budget constraints schools were under, he wanted to help out.
Mr. Schilke began donating lumber scraps from his company to the wood shop classes at Hillsborough Middle School and for each of the past four years he has donated $1,000 for the shop teachers to purchase supplies for the students.
On May 4, Hillsborough Middle School Principal Joe Trybulski and shop teachers Pete Bouman, Jim Colangelo and Pete Passe, thanked Mr. Schilke by giving him a plaque during one of the shop classes.
Mr. Schilke said when he attended Back to School Night at the middle school four years ago, he met Mr. Bouman and was impressed by his attitude towards the shop classes and the students.
"Pete had a very positive attitude," Mr. Schilke said. "When I started talking to him I saw what budget constraints they were under. These are some really good teachers and they have their hearts in it."
Mr. Schilke typically gives a $1,000 at the end of the school year and he said he will be contributing again this year.
He said any businesses could make a difference by adopting a subject at one of the schools and contributing.
"It gives the teachers the ability to fill the gaps," Mr. Schilke said. "They need just basic tools. I’ve seen what they’ve done with the money and it makes a difference."
Mr. Schilke said one year the wood shop teachers used the donated money to purchase wooden stools for the classroom.
Besides donating to schools, Mr. Schilke also donates to various local organizations including the Women’s Resource Center, Project Graduation, Somerset Food Bank and the Rescue Squad.
"He’s very generous," Deirdre Zimmerman, office manager at Schilke Construction Company said. "Where he can help, he does."
Ms. Zimmerman said Mr. Schilke picks charities every year and donates to them, including schools.
The company was recognized by the township in 2002 after donating the use of trucks for work at Mark Singley Park on Woodfern Road.

