This event is always one of my favorites. What Kisha and the WOS do for these kids make me very proud to be a USW member and show what Christmas is all about. I think we lost track of what Christmas is about and this is why I love doing this event. The WOS are Santa’s little helpers for a day. Seeing the joy on the kids faces as they sit on Santa’s lap and then receive the presents they asked for is truly priceless! I love to be able to sit up front and capture it all.
I am always amazed at all the work that goes into this event from Kisha Byrd, WOS chair & WOS contacting parents to find out jacket sizes and what the kids want, getting donations, shopping for presents, and all the logistics of putting together this event together for 65 kids. I am so proud of Kisha and the WOS for all they do to give these kids a memorable Christmas. This is what Christmas is all about. It was great to see some of the Next-Gen and other union brothers & Sisters stop by to show their support for the event and their local union. I am truly proud to be a member of USW local 10-00086. There is so much the union does to support our community that goes on behind the scenes. This is why I got involved taking pictures to help highlight all our local does for our community and what the USW International does for all workers lobbyist fighting for worker safety and $15/hr minimum wage just to name a few. This is what the USW is all about not just our local but our community too! Get involved and join a committee and help others this is an important part of what our local is about!
Thanks to USW local 10-00086 brothers and sisters and USW local 6816, Merck Flag football team, Merck workers, Facenda Whitaker Lanes and all who donated time, gifts, or money for the kids to make this event a success. Also USW local 10-00086 President Mike Gauger and his wife Jean for making sure Santa and his elf was on time to give out gifts and candy canes to the kids. Women of Steel Committee members that helped the day of the event and others who showed up to support our local: Angela Mark, Angelena Pendleton, Becky Wiker, Brenda Ingram, Carol McFadden, Cindy Verrier, Daryl Bailey, Diane Gilbert, Dexter Gilbert, Jenny Rad Fischler, John Beidler, Kisha Byrd, Lidia Xiomara Faulkner, Linda Bundt, Louise Pugliese, Mya McDonough, Rashida Smith-Jones, Renae Radcliffe, Sherry Solomon, Vionette Garcia and Xiomara Santillan Faulkner. If I missed anyone I am truly sorry.
In solidarity,
-David Freed