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January 5, 2018 | NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS
PRESENTS FROM PARTNERS
multiple unions come together for a
‘A Labor of Love’
Over 40 unions and 200 volun-
teers 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 en-
joyed 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 ex-
perienced. Presents from Part-
ners is coordinated by Labor’s UFCW Local 555 sponsored a grocery room, which included
a bag of groceries, plus a $50 gift certificate to a union grocer.
Community Service Agency.
Eryn Byram, execu-
tive director of La-
bor’s Community
Service Agency, and
Keith Thomajan of
United Way Colum-
bia-Willamette
stand in a roomful
of donated toys do-
nated by labor
unions and their al-
lies. “It really is a la-
bor of love,” Byram
said.
A good
portion of
the nearly
200 union
volunteers
gathered for
a group
photo prior
to opening
the doors.
PHOTO LEFT: All kids took home a book of their choice. PHOTO RIGHT: IBEW & United Work-
ers Federal Credit Union sponsored a second-hand “Clothes Botique.” Donated clothes were
available to anyone who wanted them.
ABOVE: Laborers Local 737 housed all the bicycles, which were donated and assembled
by ILWU Federal Credit Union employees. BELOW LEFT: 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.
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 mem-
ber of Communications Workers of America.