Approximately 40 volunteers from United Way, IAM District 751, ATU 1576 IBEW 89 and the Snohomish County Labor Council helped sort toys and organize pickups for families who stopped by the Toys for Tots warehouse in Everett. (Photo Credit: Neil Parekh/United Way of Snohomish County. Click on photo to enlarge.)
United Way of Snohomish County and several local labor unions, through an ongoing partnership, brought some holiday cheer to the US Marine Corps Toys for Tots Warehouse in Everett by donating approximately $1,500 toys and supplies, and organizing volunteers to help sort donations and pick up toys from various drop-off locations around the county.
United Way is also helping two families by providing them Christmas Trees and ornaments. Donna Lopez was displaced by the Hewitt Avenue fire November 8 and has twin 4-year old boys. Bernard Chris, a Vietnam Veteran, has three kids, 10-year old Gracelynn, 7-year old Tiffnie, and 5-year old Jadyn. Although “Santa Claus” had previously picked up toys from Toys for Tots, there was no obvious place to put the presents.
“Our union has two goals: making our companies better places to work, and making our communities better places to live,” said Tom Wroblewski, the president of Machinists Union District Lodge 751. “By helping out with Toys for Tots, our volunteers are making the holidays a little merrier for some Snohomish County families, and we’re proud to partner with the United Way and the Marines for this event.”
Approximately forty volunteers from Machinists Union District Lodge (IAM) 751 were joined by volunteers from Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1576, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 89 and other unions affiliated with the Snohomish County Labor Council for this event.
“We’re thrilled to work with our partners in the labor community, Toys for Tots and the Marines to reach out and help all of the children of our community,” said Dennis G. Smith, president and CEO of United Way of Snohomish County.
The project was organized and funded through a partnership between United Way of Snohomish County and The Snohomish County Labor Council. United Way’s Labor Advisory Committee was established to support Snohomish County residents with the help of the labor community. To date, the committee has completed several projects, building a wheelchair ramp and other home safety and mobility improvements for community members in need and supporting annual projects like the Letter Carriers Food Drive and Toys for Tots.
Toys for Tots will be accepting toy donations until December 21. For more information, contact Mary Butler at 425-344-0359.
December 15, 2012
Downtown Everett, Events in Everett