Public Employee Press

Black History Committee presents Family Day:
Joy for young and old

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

DC 37's annual Family Day of fun-filled activities energized 250 members and their children June 4 at union headquarters. The festival is usually held during DC 37's Black History Month celebration of African American culture in February but was rescheduled after a severe snowstorm.

Participants enjoyed a variety of workshops in archery, fencing, golf and double dutch. Members worked out learning step drills and Zoomba dance, healthy eating and nutrition. The day included face painters, tattoos and balloon-makers along with Local 299's Bruce Cannon, the artistic director at the Central Park's Swedish Cottage Marionette Theater. Cannon told of Harlem's exciting history using dancing marionettes and hip-hop hand puppets Uncle Marvin and Abdul.

Nurses from Local 436 provided health screenings and an educator from the Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene helped members learn about programs to quit smoking, fight cancer and obesity and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. Some joined in karate classes offered through the DC 37 Education Fund, and masseuse Vance Allen eased members' tense muscles.

"Everyone left with something and we all celebrated fitness and Black history," said Professionals Division Director Nola Brooker, who helped organize the event with Black History Committee Chair Deborah Pitts, whose Local 1113 co-sponsored the event.

Volunteers distributed brochures on historically Black colleges and financial aid, toys for youngsters under seven and gift bags from healthcare providers and co-sponsors HIP, Aetna, and GHI. Many took home free copies of "Six Weeks to a Six Pack" by fitness guru Vince Ferguson.

Donations from DC 37 locals 299, 371, 374, 436, 768, 957, 983, 1113, 1359, 1482, 1321, 1549, 1655 and the Retirees Association helped provide lunch for the day. Next year, the Black History Committee plans to resume holding Family Day in February. The committee invites members to join the union contingent in the annual African-American Day Parade in Harlem on Sept. 18.