Local Laborer's Union builds sidewalk for disabled 7-year-old Greendale girl

7-year-old Emma has neurological disorder known as Rett Syndrome

(GREENDALE, Ind.) – A group of men were pouring a new sidewalk during the intense heat in Greendale last week. 

However, it wasn’t a typical job and they weren’t doing it for money.

7-year-old Emma Black is a Lawrenceburg Primary student who has Rett Syndrome.

It’s a neurological disorder that prevents Emma from being able to walk, speak, use her hands or feed herself. 

Her family has a handicap-accessible pool in their backyard which had become hard to access by wheelchair. 

“As Emma has grown and gotten bigger, it's become increasingly harder to get her to the backyard or to the pool,” said her mother, Jill. 

The family was calling around and getting prices on a new sidewalk when the project got the attention of a local union. 

Laborers’ International Union Local 741 (LiUNA 741) is based in Lawrenceburg and they have a volunteer committee that seeks out ways to help the community. 

One of the committee members is Ray Hobbs, of Dillsboro, who learned about the project and wanted to help.

Hobbs and five other members of LiUNA 741 spent the entire day pouring a new sidewalk at the home. 

“Everybody was great to work with and even the concrete company knocked down some of the pricing,” Hobbs said. 

They even got help from Dave O’ Mara Contractors who donated the equipment.

During the project, the workers had a chance to meet Emma when she came outside. 

“It meant so much to have an opportunity to meet her and I know it touched all of us, and while it was pretty hot out there, it gave us another burst of energy to finish the job after meeting her,” he added. 

The family now has a brand new sidewalk which will substantially improve their accessibility to the backyard and pool.

“I can’t express enough gratitude to the men who took time out of their busy schedules, and we all know summer is a busy time for concrete pourers,” Jill said. 

“For all of these men to volunteer their time and dedicate a day to Emma is just so touching. This is going to make our lives a lot easier,” she added. 

The family added that they hope this story reminds others that there are people and organizations, like LiUNA 741, who go out of their way to help people in Southeast Indiana.