The Kane Brothers Scrap Metal/Facility Staff Scholarship

Westfield State University, the Westfield State Foundation, and Kane Scrap Iron & Metal Inc., have formally inked an agreement to establish the Westfield State University Facilities Staff – Kane Brothers Scholarship.

“The Facilities Staff-Kane Brothers Scholarship is an innovative university-community partnership. It represents the care and consideration of every level of our employees for our students’ well-being,” said Elizabeth H. Preston, president, Westfield State University. “We are grateful for the Kane Brothers’ willingness to partner with us and to make the goal of getting a college degree a little easier for our students.”

The scholarship was driven by Westfield State’s facilities and maintenance staff who were looking for ways to maximize resources that provide both an economical and ecological benefit to the university. The university was using a contractor to dispose of its metal scraps that charged both a hauling fee and a dumpster rental fee. Angelo Mazza, a plumber and steamfitter at Westfield State, recognized the value of the scrap. Mazza inquired whether or not the university received a financial benefit from the metal dumpster that was provided through a different company.

“When we looked into it, we saw that the answer was no,” Mazza said.

In fact, the contract was costing the university to recycle its own metal. So Mazza approached Patrick “PJ” Kane from Kane Scrap Iron & Metal Inc., a Chicopee-based company with whom he had a long-standing relationship, and asked for help.

Founded in 1982 by Robert E. Kane Sr., Robert E. Kane Jr., and Patrick M. Kane Sr., Kane Scrap Iron & Metal Inc. is a family owned business that buys and sells ferrous and non-ferrous metal and provides truck, crane, and mobile shear services. At present, the business is primarily operated by the sons of the founders including Patrick “PJ” Kane and Robert Kane III.

Together, PJ Kane and Mazza came up with a solution. Kane would waive the dumpster rental fee and send the university a check for the value of the recycled metal on one condition – that the money be used towards student scholarships.

Robert Kane III said the agreement was a no-brainer.

“If we can come in and help some organizations like Westfield State out, we’re more than happy to do it,” Kane said. “We try to help out as much as we can with the community.” Kane Scrap Iron & Metal frequently donates to local police departments, fire departments, and schools. The company has also held a relationship with Shriners Hospital for Children.

However, the Kane brothers weren’t the only ones who contributed to the success of the project.

“This was a combination of a lot of people working together,” Mazza said. “It really is a university commitment. The tradespeople and maintainers’ dedication to ensuring the metal gets to the dumpster to be recycled is what has made the difference.” The funds raised to support the scholarship have been raised over the last 12-18 months, but the logistics of setting up a scholarship required further assistance.

Robert Kane III said he’s proud that his family’s name is attached to the scholarship.

“It feels very good to know that we’re helping some students with the cost of their education,” Kane said.