Public Employee Press

Season of giving for members

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

Santa’s Barclay Street workshop was abuzz with union elves for the annual DC 37 Holiday Giving Party Dec. 10. More than 250 union families got a special boost as DC 37 locals, the Municipal Employees Legal Services, the DC 37 Housing Committee and the Personal Services Unit helped make the season brighter.

“We are so overwhelmed and so excited,” said Sonja Jackson, a Local 1549 member who attended the year-end party with her son Malcolm. After choosing from hundreds of toys piled shoulder high in Room 5, Malcolm grinned from ear to ear when he got the remote controlled fire and ambulance rescue set he had wanted all year. The 7-year-old said, “Wow, I feel really blessed.”

The December holidays celebrate children and their joy in receiving, but it’s the generous giver who gets the grandest prize. Each year DC 37 pulls together to help out its less fortunate families. Each child gets a gift, face time and photos with Santa, who looks a lot like Local 1320 President Jim Tucciarelli. Parents get Pathmark food vouchers and Toys-R-Us gift certificates to use during the holiday season.

This year’s heartwarming event was one of the largest to date, with more than 400 children in attendance, said DC 37 Housing Committee Chair Barry Jamison. “A lot of our members are experiencing hard times and are really struggling,” he said, “The union has stepped in to ease their way through this holiday season.”

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts praised the locals for “putting members first, thinking about our union brothers and sisters and being dedicated to helping make fond memories for future union members.” DC 37 Presidents Veronica Montgomery-Costa, Joan Reed, Carmen Charles, Mark Rosenthal, John Socha, Lenny Allen, Donald Afflick and others were on hand to spread the holiday spirit. Still other local presidents gave checks and DC 37’s fabulous retirees played Santa’s helpers and surrogate grandparents to the children.

Local presidents like Michael DeMarco and Cliff Koppelman and their families shopped ‘til they dropped this year. They hauled in cartloads of presents: huge green Hulk Hands, funky skate boards, chess and checkers games, Scrabble, Barbie and baby dolls, stuffed animals and clothes. “I get my kids involved,” said Mr. DeMarco, “Who knows toys better than kids?”

As foot-long heroes, cookies and carols added to the festive air, Mad Hatter Jason Davidson sculpted balloons into motorcycles, tiaras and oversized trinkets. Social workers from PSU and MELS helped the event run smoothly.

“Seeing the smiles on my girls’ faces is just great,” said Rose Collette, a Local 1549 member who is a single parent with five young daughters. “DC 37 has been fantastic, warm, welcoming and supportive.”

“Our union dues go a long way,” said Tyrone Smith of Local 420. “DC 37 is about helping one another like one big family.”