IBEW Local 1395 (Indianapolis IN) Joins to Create Organized Labor-United Way "Day of Caring" for less fortunate

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Many showed concern for others in community during annual Day of Caring

This was the fifth year for Organized Labor/United Way's Day of Caring. Heavy rain showers fell as volunteers arrived at Townsend Community Center for the Meijer-sponsored breakfast. This is a day when volunteers from all over the community come together to help disadvantaged citizens and not-for-profit agencies. Through hands-on projects, they can learn first hand about social service programs and the needs in our community. Kroger donated lunch for all volunteer workers. This event is labor's kick-off for the United Way campaigns.

Many of the jobs completed were paint projects, which included two houses, a fence, two rooms and a shelter. We also did cleaning chores for two agencies. Several agencies collaborated to assemble Helping Hands Gift Bags that were delivered to senior citizens by a volunteer group. Our scheduled DOC was Aug. 28 but some projects were completed before or after that date. We have four projects to complete later this month. The recipients of service are not charged for labor or materials. All materials are in-kind contributions or purchased from donations. Our dedicated workers provide all the labor.

United Way's theme this year is "What Matters." Those of us that have worked this event year after year know that people helping people is what matters. Although the day is already a success, we are working to increase the number of people served each year.

Labor volunteers represented the following unions: UAW Local 1244 (Western-Cullen Hayes), IBEW Local 1395 (Richmond Power & Light), ATU Local 1474 (Roseview Transit), AFSCME Local 2077 (Head Start), USWA Local 5163 (MasterBrand Cabinets) and Indiana Construction Partnership .

United Way agencies participating were: Achieva Resources Corp.-Green Acres, Girl Scouts of Treaty Line Council, Salvation Army, Senior Opportunities Services, Townsend Community Center, United Way staff and board and Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County.

Community volunteers include Meijer, Brady Ware & Schoenfeld Inc., First Bank Richmond, Hill's Pet Nutrition, First Baptist Church (Sunday school class). First-time volunteers were from Neighborhood Services Clearinghouse, Hope House Addiction Recovery Center, Target, Communities in Schools, Achieva Resources Corp. and First United Methodist Church.

Donors this year were International Brotherhood of Teamsters (Teamsters Local 135), UAW Local 1363 (Dana liner foundry), Amalgamated Transit Union (Local Division 1474-Roseview Transit), IBEW Local 1395 (Richmond Power & Light), Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA Local 1047), Indiana AFSCME Council 62 (AFSCME Local 2077-Head Start), Kemper Employees for Charity Inc. (MasterBrand Cabinets), Kessler's Sport Shop, Masonite International, MAB Paints, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Richmond Power & Light, Dunn Center and Kroger.

I sincerely thank each of you that helped in any way with this year's event. I apologize in advance if I have omitted anyone or anything.

Etta Lundy, Richmond, Ind.

Lundy is community service liaison for United Way of Whitewater Valley.

Originally published September 26, 2004











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