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Public Employee Press
Locals and staff make holiday giving
a hit
The joy of giving embraced the spirit of Christmas, the
kevanah (intent to fulfill the good deed) of Hanukkah, and the warmth
of Kwanza at the annual DC 37 Holiday Giving party Dec. 7.
We are happy to share our Christmas. You are part of our family
and we want you to know your DC 37 family is always here for you,
said Executive Director Lillian Roberts, greeting families and posing
with the unions Santa, who looks a lot like Local 1320 President
Jim Tucciarelli.
A busy workshop of union elves from the Retirees Association helped distribute
hugs, toys and gifts to the unions neediest families. The DC 37
Housing Committee, Municipal Employees Legal Service and Personal Services
Unit sponsor the event with contributions from members, staff and local
presidents
|like Melvin Bentley, Veronica Montgomery-Costa, Michael DeMarco, Cliff
Koppelman, Walthene Primus, Darryl Ramsey and Tucciarelli, and the many
DC 37 members who mailed in checks and brought gifts, said Program Director
Frances Curtis.
I feel blessed to have a union that stands by me in my time of need,
said Irving Stewart, a Local 1549 member who was glad his 5-year-old daughter
Ashleigh experienced the unions holiday kindness firsthand. Stewart
said he fell on hard times when the city cut his health benefits while
he was on medical leave. MELS is working to restore his full coverage.
With all the focus on Katrina victims we cannot forget our own members
who are having a difficult time, said MELS Supervising Social Worker
Danny Barr.
I have three children and I know how wonderful it is to see their
faces light up on Christmas morning, said DeMarco, whose members
contribute each year to the holiday giving cause.
Local 372 member Sheila Yohou brought her grandchildren. This gives
them something to look forward to, she said. Times are hard.
The food and toy vouchers from DC 37 mean my family can put something
under the tree and Christmas dinner on the table this year.
In addition to the vouchers, children got age-appropriate gifts, toys,
candy and face time and photos with Santa.
I am very grateful for everything this union has done for my five
children and me including this party, said Local 420 member
Sonia Simpson. Through the unions immigration program I was
able to bring my children to this country and we all have benefited.
This party gives us a chance to give back to our members who are
less fortunate, said Housing Committee Chair Melvin Bentley.
DSW
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