Duncanville students take on construction project for elderly couple

DUNCANVILLE, Texas - Students at Duncanville High School are using their construction skills for a good cause. They’re helping to improve the lives of an elderly couple in need.

The students are part of a hands-on construction class. On Thursday morning they took it to the next level by building porch rails for Charles and Mona Acton, long-time Duncanville residents who are both in their 80s.

Mr. Action is the son of a former superintendent who served Duncanville ISD from 1945 to 1951. Action Elementary School was named after his father, Charles Action.

Recently Mr. Acton fell while trying to climb the steps to his home. Fortunately, he wasn’t seriously hurt.

“Our principal came to visit so she could learn more about the community and realized that they didn’t have a safety rail. And so because we have construction at our school, our principal Mrs. Simmons said, ‘You know what? It would be awesome for our kids to give back to the community and make a safety rail for our residents,’” said Tami Gamble-Gurnell, the Building Trades teacher at Duncanville High School.

The teacher said her students wanted to do something that could help prevent future falls and make the couple’s home a little safer.

The students dug the holes Wednesday and were hard at work Thursday morning. They’re hoping to have everything installed by the end of the day.