Public Employee Press

Help is available
Union and feds provide relief aid

Many District Council 37 members live in the heavily flooded Hurricane Sandy disaster zones designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. An estimated 12,000 members and their families were severely affected by the superstorm, with their normal lives torn asunder, and some 200 union families became homeless (see pages 18-20).

"In tough times like these, we remember that our union is like a family, and we do all we can to help our sisters and brothers, especially those who have been hit the hardest," said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts.

Sources of aid from the union and from government agencies follow:

DC 37 Fallen Heroes Fund

DC 37 quickly began aiding its hardest-hit members with cash grants from its Fallen Heroes Fund. In this effort, DC 37 received crucial assistance from its national union, the 1.6-million-member American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Important contributions also came from DC 37 locals and the union's Help Our Own Fund, which for many years has aided members and families who have fallen on hard times. "On behalf of the many members they have assisted, I give my heartfelt thanks to those who have donated. In view of the increased need this year I ask all who can to remember to contribute," said Roberts.

AFSCME Advantage

Union Plus Disaster Relief Grants of $500 are available to help eligible participants in the AFSCME Advantage/Union Plus Credit Card, Insurance or Mortgage programs who are facing financial hardships due to the disaster. To apply, AFSCME members who participate in any of the following programs can call:

• Union Plus Credit Card: 1-877-761-5028 (please have credit card number ready)
• Union Plus Insurance or Mortgage: 1-800-472-2005