Members and Retirees of Local 5328

A message from  Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council.

August 28, 2020

Operation Backpack 2020 came together this morning at St. Mathew’s House in Hamilton Ontario. Members of the Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council showed up with their “Community Matters” trailer filled with over 900 backpacks filled with school supplies and facemasks. Working alongside staff and volunteers from St. Matthew’s House, several hundred were handed out to families who have found themselves in a worrisome place as they prepare for school this year.

Two weeks ago 300 backpacks were delivered to the Salvation Army in Simcoe and 50 were distributed in Brantford by the United Way courtesy of Brantford Steelworkers.

Despite the success of the effort, this year the program was very much in doubt says Area Council President Darren Green, “with COVID -19 we weren’t even sure there would be school this year and we also lost our major sponsor which meant we were 15K behind in fundraising before we even started”.

“We had tremendous support from our Locals here in Hamilton, and some of the companies which they represent. The response from the community has been heartfelt and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts for helping make this possible amidst all the uncertainty”, added Green.

We would like to thank our District Director Marty Warren, the Steelworkers Humanity Fund, Women of Steel Hamilton, USW Locals 8782, 1005, 16506, 7135, 5238, 14162, and the great 4153 for their local and plant gate collections. We also thank the Society of Professionals, Stelco, Golden Horseshoe Credit Union, National Steel Car, A Raymond Tinnerman for their donations.

To the many in the community who donated or held their own fundraisers in support of the program; thank you, thank you, thank you. The remaining backpacks will be delivered directly to schools throughout Hamilton next Wednesday.

For Hamilton Steelworkers “Community Matters”.

Click here to view Operation Backpack Pictures.