Hamilton Steelworkers Help 419 Kids Prepare for School

HAMILTON, ON, Aug. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - This morning ArcelorMittal Hamilton East and its employees teamed up with the Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council, the Women of Steel, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 5328 as well as the Golden Horseshoe Credit Union and MJ International Marketing Solutions to try to make a small difference for some of the children of inner city schools here in Hamilton.

Operation Backpack was launched just a few weeks ago and the partnership together raised nine thousand dollars ($9,000) to fill 419 backpacks with school supplies that will be distributed by St. Matthews House.

"This is the second year doing this as a company/union initiative and the fact that we have more partners on board with us signals to me that people are recognizing that there is a need here in Hamilton", says Terry Willock Vice-President of USW Local 5328.

Over thirty people from the different groups gathered to fill the backpacks. Two of the schools earmarked for the backpacks are Cathy Wever Elementary School and St. Brigid Catholic Elementary School.

Sandra Cabral, Human Resources Director at ArcelorMittal Hamilton East said "While this will only help a small portion of those families who need this help, we hope that this undertaking will encourage others to get involved in our community".

"It breaks my heart to see kids going to school without the essential tools to succeed.  I think it's wonderful ArcelorMittal Hamilton East and the Steelworkers and others are able to help our children in the city." Steve Leighfield, Executive Director of St. Matthew's House.

In his closing remarks to the group Darren Green, President of the Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council said that "today we made a difference, one that should not be discounted, in our last venture we were able to fill 250 backpacks with the support of the United Way, this year we almost doubled that and we should all be proud of the work we have done", "Over 400 kids will be going to school feeling a whole lot better about themselves because of your efforts".

SOURCE: United Steelworkers (USW)

Contacts:
Darren Green, President, Hamilton Steelworkers Area Council 905-719-4412
Sandra Cabral, Director HR, ArcelorMittal Hamilton East 905-528-9473 ext. 6864