Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) and the Northwest Oregon Labor Council held their annual “Presents from Partners” holiday party for children of out-of-work union members Dec. 14 at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 16 union hall in Northeast Portland. Several hundred boys, girls, tweens, teens, toddlers and their parents participated. Children received a Christmas stocking hand-made by retirees of the American Federation of Teachers-Oregon; a turkey lunch catered by Madison’s Grill; dessert made by members of Bakers Local 114 at Fred Meyer; face painting, coloring, a visit with Santa Claus (played by Dave Williams of IBEW Local 48), and several toys and books.
IBEW and United Workers Federal Credit Union also sponsored a room with gifts for moms and dads. Children selected an item for each parent, and volunteers from the credit union helped wrap them.
Union organizations, members, unionized businesses, and professionals that work with unions donated toys and cash for the event, said LCSA Executive Director Vickie Burns. A total of 90 volunteers helped in some fashion, either by decorating the union hall the night before or assisting families the day of the event. This year, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette donated T-shirts for all the volunteers to wear.
“The outpouring of support was a gift from and for working people and organized labor,” Burns said.
