Community Involvement
Appetite for Construction Podcast
At General Plumbing, we are passionate about sharing our experiences and contributing to the conversation around the trades. Our co-owner, Erica Barnes, was recently featured on the Appetite for Construction podcast, recorded live from the PHCC CONNECT trade show.
Hosted by Mechanical Hub Media’s John Mesenbrink and Tim Ward, the Appetite for Construction podcast dives into the building trades industry, featuring insightful conversations with professionals who are shaping the future. In her episode, Erica discusses leadership in the plumbing industry, the challenges and rewards of running a service business, and the importance of innovation and workforce development.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Career Fairs & Junior Achievement
At General Plumbing, we love introducing students to the plumbing trade through hands-on experiences at local high school career fairs and Junior Achievement events. Our favorite activity? Challenging students to build a “person” out of PVC pipe! It’s a fun, engaging way to show how plumbing is a STEM career that involves problem-solving, creativity, and technical skill.
These events allow us to spark curiosity and connect with students who may be interested in an internship or apprenticeship after high school. Plumbing offers a rewarding career path with stability, growth, and endless opportunities.
If you’re a student—or know one—who’s interested in learning more, we’d love to chat!
Seminole Ridge HS Jan 2024
Park Vista HS Dec 2024
Building Homes, Building Futures: Weitz Construction Academy & Habitat for Humanity
General Plumbing is proud to support the Weitz Construction Academy at Seminole Ridge High School in their Habitat for Humanity home-building project. Each year, students build a home inside their school’s shop, gaining real-world construction experience.
As the plumbing contractor for the past few years, our team provides hands-on instruction, guiding students through the plumbing installation process. We’re especially grateful to Ferguson Supply for donating the plumbing materials, ensuring students work with professional-grade equipment.
This program is an incredible way to inspire future tradespeople while giving back to the community. Seeing students take pride in their work—and knowing the finished home will go to a family in need—makes this experience truly rewarding.
Check out the photos of the house in progress!
STEM Fest with STEM Gems of St. Lucie County
General Plumbing was thrilled to participate in STEM Fest for the STEM Gems of St. Lucie County, where preschool-age children explored hands-on STEM activities using plumbing materials. Kids (and even adults!) had a blast building PVC structures, playing ring toss, and discovering how plumbing connects to science, technology, engineering, and math.
This event was a fantastic way to introduce young minds to the trades in a fun and engaging way. Seeing their excitement as they built and problem-solved reinforced the importance of early STEM education—and the role plumbing plays in it!
We love inspiring future innovators and showing that plumbing isn’t just pipes—it’s creativity, engineering, and problem-solving at its best.
Check out some of the fun moments!
Supporting Toy Thunder: A Ride for a Cause
Since 2022, General Plumbing has proudly supported Toy Thunder, a charity motorcycle ride in support of the Marine Toys for Tots annual toy drive. This incredible event brings riders together to collect and donate toys, ensuring children in need have a brighter holiday season.
Our team has volunteered and contributed to this cause, helping to make a meaningful impact in our community. It’s an honor to be part of an event that combines passion for riding with the spirit of giving.
We look forward to continuing our support for Toy Thunder and spreading holiday joy to local children!
Check out the event highlights!
Panelist at PHCC CONNECT: Reverse Mentorship in the Trades
In October 2024, General Plumbing’s co-owner, Erica Barnes, was honored to be a panelist at the PHCC CONNECT Annual Conference, speaking on reverse mentorship alongside four other industry leaders. The discussion focused on bridging the gap between younger and older generations in the trades—learning from each other, sharing ideas, and embracing innovation rather than resisting change.
The conversation was so impactful that it was featured in PHCC Solutions Magazine Winter 2024 issue. By fostering open dialogue and mentorship in both directions, we can strengthen the future of the trades while respecting the wisdom of the past.
At General Plumbing, we believe in evolving while staying true to our values—and that starts with learning from each other!
Check out the PHCC Solutions Magazine feature!
Stepping Up for a Cause: Charity Walks
At General Plumbing, giving back to our community is important to us. We were proud to support two incredible charity walks in 2022 & 2023:
Young Singers of the Palm Beaches 5K – This event benefits a local nonprofit children’s music organization, with proceeds funding scholarships for students who may not otherwise afford tuition. Music changes lives, and we’re honored to help make it accessible to more children.
Peggy Adams Walk for the Animals – Supporting Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, this walk raises funds to help provide shelter, medical care, and adoption services for animals in need.
We look forward to continuing our involvement in similar opportunities in the years to come!
Check out the highlights!
Supporting the Future of the Trades
At General Plumbing, we are committed to strengthening the skilled trades industry and advocating for career opportunities in plumbing. That’s why we proudly support two outstanding organizations:
Explore The Trades – Dedicated to bridging the workforce gap in plumbing, HVAC, and electrical trades, this organization provides valuable resources and education to inspire the next generation of skilled professionals.
Women in Plumbing & Piping (WiPP) – A community-driven organization empowering women in the plumbing and piping industries by offering mentorship, networking, and advocacy to promote diversity and inclusion.
These organizations align with our mission to create a thriving future for the trades. We encourage anyone interested in a career in plumbing to explore these great resources!
Learn more at their websites!
