(NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK) – Not being able to provide for one’s family during the Holiday Season can be very hard, especially on young children who look so forward to Christmas morning when they look under the tree to see what Santa has left them. 

But for the past 10 years, the Niagara-Orleans AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and its Affiliated Member Unions have stepped forward to make sure that at least some families who’ve been chosen for their donation drive have a bright and memorable Christmas.

This Holiday Season, 28 needy families - including four Military Veteran Families, were chosen through the assistance of the United Way of Greater Niagara to benefit from an array of gifts and donations that were valued at $8,400.

Over the past 10 years, nearly 300 chosen families have benefitted from the generosity of the Labor Council, its Unions and their Members, who have generously donated more than $90,000 over the course of that time to make their Christmas a bit brighter.

Niagara-Orleans Labor Council President Jim Briggs, who has spent 50 years in the Western New York Labor Movement, told WNYLaborToday.com: “‘When you see a family that would not have had a Christmas, tears well up in your eyes.’  ‘It’s very emotional.’  ‘If you could see the excitement in the faces of those children - it’s all worth it.’  ‘At times I don’t know how we get it done and I don’t know how it happens, but every year the Labor Movement addresses the needs of our community, especially during Christmas.’  ‘Word goes out to our Affiliates and they respond.’  ‘This year we made sure we took care of some (Military) Veteran families so they weren’t left out.’  ‘These are people who put their lives on the line for us and we need to address their needs too.’  ‘I don’t know if I can truly put it into words, but I could not be more proud of our movement helping the less fortunate in our community.’  At the end of the day, this is what we are all about.  ‘It truly is an honor to be their leader to such an amazing group of people.’”

Beth Pyskaty, the United Way of Greater Niagara’s new Labor Liaison to the Niagara-Orleans Labor Council, said: “‘Everyone stepped up.’  The Affiliates ‘are so generous and I know the families really appreciate it.’  ‘I am so proud of my Union Brothers and Sisters and giving back to our communities says a lot about who we are.’  ‘Labor worked to ensure they had a happy holiday, otherwise - they would have not had one.’”

Taking part in the Labor Council’s Adopt-A-Family drive were the Communications Workers of America, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the United Auto Workers, the Stagehands Union, the United Steelworkers, the Service Employees International Union, and several Teacher Associations affiliated with New York State United Teachers.

The amount spent per family has risen from $250 to $300 in recent years and in some cases, a bit more was spent to accommodate those families’ wish lists.

“I know of at least one family where we spent ($500),” Briggs said.

And while most would think the families’ wish lists are long with all kinds of toys and gifts that most families give each other, Pyskaty tells WNYLaborToday.com that’s not the case.

“‘Yes, there are toys and clothes, but there’s also bedding and blankets, coats and gloves,’” she said. “Some we shopped for asked for deodorant, mouthwash, laundry detergent, pots, pans and silverware.  ‘They weren’t asking for anything extravagant.’  ‘In fact, one family asked for peppermint oil because of some trouble they were having with mice in their house.’”

Some of the Union Affiliates even went out shopping for the gifts, including IBEW Local 2104, whose Members are employed at the New York State Power Authority.

“Some of them ‘shopped on their day off,’” Pyskaty said.  “‘They really go above and beyond.’”

The United Way and the YWCA in Niagara County gathered the donated gifts and made sure they were distributed to the designated families, including some who are survivors of domestic violence.

“‘Everyone focused on what was really important,’” Pyskaty said.

In addition to the donated gifts, families received a $25 gift card to Union-represented (United Food & Commercial Workers) Tops Supermarkets.