|
Public
Employee Press The spirit of
giving By
JOSEPH LOPEZ
Magic filled the air as DC 37 kicked off the most wonderful
time of the year at the annual Holiday Giving party Dec. 1. More than 200 families
hit hardest by these rough times selected by social workers from the unions
Municipal Employees Legal Services and Personal Services Unit gathered
at the union to delight in tasty treats, snap Polaroids with Santa, and share
red and green tinted cheer.
After meeting jolly St. Nick, who closely resembled
Local 1320 President Jim Tucciarelli, the children were invited into Santas
workshop where elves from the DC 37s Retirees Association helped them choose
from a sea of board games, train sets, Tonka trucks and baby dolls.
My
grandson was bragging about the gift he got, said Minnie Rivens, a retired
Local 420 member who, along with her three grandchildren, attended the festivities
for the very first time.
Locals 924, 957, 1070, 1320, 1455,
2021 and 2054 made bighearted toy donations and Locals 371, 372, 420 and 1549
helped fund Santas gift bag, as many members responded generously to the
ads in PEP. Families also received gift cards for toys and supermarket vouchers
for a holiday meal. Tucciarelli filled Santas sled on expeditions to toy
stores with local Presidents Michael DeMarco, Walthene Primus and Lenny Allen.
Local 420s Isabella Figueroa also collected donations from union staff.
Watching
the DC 37 family unite to help our members in need celebrate the holiday season
is a joyous experience, said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. This
is truly a union with a heart.
Local 1549 member Joy Tynes was thrilled
that her children Erykah Gaston, 8, and Xavier Gaston, 7, were able to meet Roberts.
I look up to her, she said, and I want them to learn we have
great characters right here, not just in books.
| |