(ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK) - When a member of the Buffalo Community who gives back by helping the homeless and providing inner-city kids with a chance to go to their first Buffalo Bills game needed help, the SMART Army quickly mobilized.

SMART, which stands for Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, and some of its Members from Local 71 were made aware that 64-year-old Chuckie Sonntag - who helped form the non-profit Bills Fan Thunder organization that provides the experience of a lifetime for inner-city kids who are economically-challenged and who’ve never gone to a National Football League game, needed a ramp at his Orchard Park home for him to use.

Sonntag is a double amputee, having lost his limbs to a bone disease (he lost an arm at the age of 35 and one of his legs eight years ago).  He is wheelchair-bound and needed access from the back of his home out to his garage in the worst way.

A former Local 71 Member made the leadership at the Buffalo Building Trades Union aware of his need and the Sheet Metal Workers sprang into action, just like its Members have done so many times in the past to help those in the community who need a hand up.

“I’m ‘so happy.’  ‘They came through for me.’  ‘They’re a bunch of really nice guys,’” Sonntag (Pictured Below/SMART Local 71 Photos), who has also involved himself in groups helping the homeless over the years, told WNYLaborToday.com.  “‘It works real well and it couldn’t have happened at a better time.’  ‘They’re excellent guys who really helped me out - a lot.’”

The donation of time and effort also makes Paul Crist, Business Manager at Local 71, “proud” of his Union and his Members: “‘It makes me feel great and I am very proud’ (of what the SMART Army did for Sonntag).  Our Members ‘find the time to help somebody.’  ‘Our guys are Workers who get satisfaction in helping others.’  ‘When someone needs help in our community, why not us?’”

Local 71 Membership Development Organizer Andre Mayes said the donation was a great way to make more people aware of the SMART Army, which is working on another local donation of time and materials for the Meals on Wheels organization this week.

“‘It’s important to help people who need it in our community,’” Mayes told WNYLaborToday.com.  “We were told (Sonntag) ‘only had one way to get out of his house’ (via another ramp located in the front of his home).  We got a donated aluminum ramp, disassembled it at one location and then transported it over to Chuckie’s house just before the Holidays (and in between two massive snowstorms that hit the Buffalo area, thankfully).  It was in eight-foot segments and took us ninety minutes to disassemble and then took three of us (from Local 71) two hours ‘to reconfigure it’ in the back of his house.”

Mayes was joined by Local 71 Vice President Cary Hinterberger and Scott Brodnicki, an eight-year Local 71 Member (Pictured Below, From Left to Right: Brodnicki; Mayes; and Hinterberger)

“(Sonntag) ‘was thrilled and I felt happy.’  ‘I don’t want to sound corny, but we liked doing it.’  ‘We were privileged to put it up for him.’  I think it’s ‘super-important’ Unions and their Members ‘give back, because we are pillars of the community and it was a genuine opportunity to fill a void.’  ‘It seemed to make a difference and we hope to do more in the future,’” Mayes added.

It was just another example of what SMART Local 71 Members - who make a good wage Working Union, do in the communities where they work, live and raise their families.

“I ‘jumped on board and volunteered.’  ‘That’s the way I was brought up.’  ‘It always goes back to my (late) Father,’ who was Sheet Metal Workers Member.  ‘When someone needs help, you lend a hand - no matter who it is,’” Brodnicki told WNYLaborToday.com.

“I ‘know’ Chuckie ‘absolutely loved it and he was so appreciative.’  ‘It was huge.’  (Sonntag) ‘couldn’t say Thank You enough,’” Brodnicki added.

WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: The Photos That Appear With This Labor News Report Are Courtesy Of SMART Local 71/Andre Mayes.