Public Employee Press

Holiday Giving

DC 37 members and their families who were hit hard by difficult circumstances in 2007 braved the first blast of freezing winter weather to make their way to union headquarters Dec. 4 for the traditional Holiday Giving party.

“It gives us great pleasure to bring our union family together and to take special care of those in need among us during this holiday season,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts, as the children lined up to take their photos with Santa Claus.

After their photo session with Santa, the kids from families selected by the social workers of DC 37’s Municipal Employees Legal Service and Personal Service Unit were off to his busy workshop, which was overflowing with skateboards, basketballs and board games. Santa’s helpers from the DC 37 Retirees Association helped the youngsters select their presents.

Retirees Helen Jennings and her friend Eleanor Cyrus, who recently adopted two children, came from Brooklyn. This was the first union Holiday Giving party for Jennings, who was once a Local 384 shop steward. “It’s really great that the union does this for the children,” said Jennings, who came to help her friend celebrate the holidays with her new children. “It does take a village to raise a child.”

MELS and the PSU organized the annual holiday affair with contributions from locals, members and staff. With huge caring hearts that beat for less fortunate children, a group of local presidents led the way in collecting a record pile of presents: Jim Tucciarelli of Sewage Treatment Workers and Seniors Local 1320, Michael DeMarco of Traffic Employees Local 1455, Lenny Allen of Off-Track Betting Employees Local 2021 and Cliff Koppelman of Court, County and Probation Employees Local 1070, who is also secretary of DC 37. Louis Sbar and Local 299, Carol Thomas and New York Public Library Guild Local 1930 and Eddie Rodriguez and Local 1549 headed the long list of contributors.

Santa’s elf, Local 2054 President Colleen Carew-Rogers, kept the line moving smoothly as once again Tucciarelli contributed his impressive acting skills by playing the role of Santa Claus.