Introduction
AJ’z Steel-Toed Footprints: The Legacy of AJ Zdroik
Written by Trish Zdroik, Founder of AJ'z Steel-Toed Footprints
AJ was the first-born of four who grew up on a family farm in Rosholt, WI. He became the quiet leader amongst his siblings and neighborhood friends at an early age because of his hard-working, principled, but playfully mischievous nature. Together, these kids did chores, built tree forts, fixed tractor engines, and competed in pig rodeos. As a teen, there was no better Friday night than one spent with the boys working on trucks that would be used to rip through the cornfields and mud. AJ loved ag class and welding and went on to get credentials in both disciplines within one year of graduating from high school.
What AJ enjoyed most was anything to do with the family farm. He had an undebatable love for God, family, and the land he grew up on. He earned respect from all ages of onlookers because of his stand-out mechanical intelligence, empathy for the underdog, earn-it-or-you-don’t-own-it work ethic, and show up where you are needed dependability. He learned to love building structures and optimizing equipment so that it would be functionally strong and aesthetically striking. He bought and managed a herd of beef cattle--some for 4H show and some for market--whose genetic lines are still cherished by his family to this day.
AJ tragically lost his life at the age of 23 while on a job assignment to rebuild a railroad bridge. So much went wrong that day and on the days that followed, all of which stirred AJ’s family and friends to produce a solution that would infuse honor and hope into the blue-collar workforce. AJ’z Steel-Toed Footprints (AJZSTF) evolved to keep AJ’s purpose and memory alive. The name of our organization had to simultaneously brand us as bold but humble, capturing the “tough, resilient, essential, mechanical, steady” dignity of the American blue-collar worker. AJ’s family and friends knew there were other kids out there who lived in the shadows with under-recognized mechanical intelligence, problem-solving skills, die-hard work ethic, and family-oriented values. We wanted to get these kids a spotlight and encourage them to realize what big dogs they really are. These are the ones we rely on to build America.
The crowds go wild when the AJZSTF Trades Career Jumpstart Award recipients come up on stage during local high school senior awards ceremonies. Our message is real: these kids have talent that America desperately needs. Thanks to our generous partners, sponsors, and supporters, and the help of an investment-based endowment fund held at the Community Foundation of Central Wisconsin, we have to-date been able to recognize 30 graduating seniors with AJZSTF Trades Career Jumpstart Awards. Our application evaluates work ethic, proven dedication to trades skills, and true concern for safety on the job. We value leadership by example, authentic communication, and stand-for-something character as we choose candidates who we believe are going to be part of a workforce who makes sure every man and woman who shows up for work goes home to their family when their work assignments are complete. For the first time, we hit our goal this year of funding eight $1000 Trades Career Jumpstart Awards— “8” being a number that symbolizes both the infinity of the soul and the grit it takes to win a rough day (from AJ’s bull riding days). Jumpstart award funds can be used toward skills-building tuition, apprenticeship travel, specialized tools, and/or safety equipment. AJ’s spirit of love for family, hands-on work, quality craftsmanship, and concern for the well-being of fellow workers travels with each recipient, and the idea of turning tragedy into triumph resonates with every community we stand in front of.
We have come a long way and continue to reach high with our vision. We gain momentum with every recipient family we touch, every speech we give, and every event where we celebrate the trades. Our goals are to build our endowment to perpetually fund eight jumpstart awards a year, to gain attention and action toward recognizing and building mechanical intelligence in our youth, to celebrate skilled trades career decisions, and to keep attention and commitment growing for the safety and respect of the American blue-collar worker. Let’s build America strong!
Help Carry AJ's Legacy Forward
To learn more about AJ'z Steel-Toed Footprints visit https://www.steeltoedfootprints.com/ or support their mission by donating at https://tinyurl.com/AJZdroikSteel-ToedMemorialFund.
