Public Employee Press

The spirit of giving

By JOSEPH LOPEZ

Magic filled the air as DC 37 kicked off the most wonderful time of the year at the annual Holiday Giving party Dec. 1. More than 200 families hit hardest by these rough times — selected by social workers from the union’s Municipal Employees Legal Services and Personal Services Unit — gathered at the union to delight in tasty treats, snap Polaroids with Santa, and share red and green tinted cheer.

After meeting jolly St. Nick, who closely resembled Local 1320 President Jim Tucciarelli, the children were invited into Santa’s workshop where elves from the DC 37’s Retirees Association helped them choose from a sea of board games, train sets, Tonka trucks and baby dolls.

“My grandson was bragging about the gift he got,” said Minnie Rivens, a retired Local 420 member who, along with her three grandchildren, attended the festivities for the very first time.

Locals 924, 957, 1070, 1320, 1455, 2021 and 2054 made bighearted toy donations and Locals 371, 372, 420 and 1549 helped fund Santa’s gift bag, as many members responded generously to the ads in PEP. Families also received gift cards for toys and supermarket vouchers for a holiday meal. Tucciarelli filled Santa’s sled on expeditions to toy stores with local Presidents Michael DeMarco, Walthene Primus and Lenny Allen. Local 420’s Isabella Figueroa also collected donations from union staff.

“Watching the DC 37 family unite to help our members in need celebrate the holiday season is a joyous experience,” said DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts. “This is truly a union with a heart.”

Local 1549 member Joy Tynes was thrilled that her children Erykah Gaston, 8, and Xavier Gaston, 7, were able to meet Roberts. “I look up to her,” she said, “and I want them to learn we have great characters right here, not just in books.”