Labor’s Community Service Agency (LCSA) collected more than 200 bags of toys in December for the annual Presents from Partners Toy Challenge — with more than half of the donations coming from the top-two donors.
The friendly competition pitted 25 local labor organizations against each other to see which one could bring in the most 32- to 45-gallon bags full of toys. International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 8 took the 2023 Presents from Partners champion title with its donation of 60 bags. Operating Engineers Local 701 earned second-place with 49 bags.
LCSA combined the gifts from the toy challenge with donations from other labor groups. In total, 40 local unions, labor councils, and labor-affiliated organizations gave presents or money, and more than 130 volunteers participated. IBEW 48 members made the most individual financial contributions.
Most of the volunteers helped deliver gifts to more than 275 families. Each family received bags of hand-selected toys purchased and donated by unions and training centers; gifts for parents/caregivers purchased and selected by IBEW United Workers Federal Credit Union; handmade stockings sewn by the American Federation of Teachers Retirees; food boxes; diapers coordinated by United Way and their supporters; and Fred Meyer gift cards sponsored by IBEW Local 48, Machinists Local Local 63, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 290. Another 12 families received food boxes, gift cards, and presents for the adults.
Oregon Laborers Training and Apprenticeship once again offered its facility as the depot where presents were bagged and picked up for delivery. Laborers Local 737 also donated Visa gift cards and gifts for teens 15 and over.
