The Young Machinists, an organization consisting of Machinists Lodge 63 members under the age of 35, helped bring some holiday cheer to 122 teen-age foster kids in East Multnomah County.
The group coordinates with caseworkers at the Gresham Branch of the Oregon Department of Human Services to compile a list of “needs” and “wants” specific to the foster teens in their care. The unionists then go out and buy those presents for the teens. They also fill stockings with personal hygiene items and pencils, pens, and stickers with the IAM logo.
On Dec. 13, nearly a dozen volunteers spent the morning wrapping the gifts. Among them was District W 24 Directing Business Representative Noel Willet, and Lodge 63 President John Kleiboeker. Dubbed “Foster Care Christmas,” the event is the brainchild of members Scott and Beth Lacey, and Kleiboeker, all of whom work at Boeing Co. Money is raised through union donations and Christmas tree sales. The Laceys sell trees that are donated by a local Christmas tree farmer at their home in Sandy. Also volunteering this year were Jessica Deming, Lisa Schollmeyer, Ayron Moran, Yamal Rotar, Ryan Rouse, and Jessica Abernathy.
