Over 40 unions and 200 volunteers were involved in this year’s Presents from Partners holiday party for families in need. The event was held Dec. 16 at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in Northeast Portland. Some 350 kids and 200 parents from labor and the community at large enjoyed the day, which featured a hot meal, a visit with Santa Claus, gifts, groceries, and more. Photos on this page share just a glimpse of what the families experienced. Presents from Partners is coordinated by Labor’s Community Service Agency.
All kids took home a book of their choice.American Federation of Teachers retiree Val Jack spent the year crafting 320 stockings to hand out to guests.
Union Cab drove families to and from the event for free. Driver Miles Chase is a member of Communications Workers of America.
IBEW & United Workers Federal Credit Union sponsored a “Parents Room.” Kids were able to pick out a gift for their parents or guardians and have them wrapped to put under the Christmas tree at home.UFCW Local 555 sponsored a grocery room, which included a bag of groceries, plus a $50 gift certificate to a union grocer.IBEW & United Workers Federal Credit Union sponsored a second-hand “Clothes Boutique.” Donated clothes were available to anyone who wanted them.Eryn Byram, executive director of Labor’s Community Service Agency, and Keith Thomajan of United Way Columbia-Willamette stand in a roomful of donated toys donated by labor unions and their allies.
Over 40 unions and 200 volunteers were involved in this year’s Presents from Partners holiday party for families in need. The event was held Dec. 16 at the Sheet Metal Workers Hall in Northeast Portland. Some 350 kids and 200 parents from labor and the community at large enjoyed the day, which featured a hot meal, a visit with Santa Claus, gifts, groceries, and more. Photos on this page share just a glimpse of what the families experienced. Presents from Partners is coordinated by Labor’s Community Service Agency.
