Labor of Love
At United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s Labor of Love event, brothers Donnie and Kayzah, both students at Bow Elementary, experienced a Christmas they’ll never forget.
When Santa called Donnie, a fourth grader, he peeked into his gift bag and froze – his eyes wide with disbelief. “I already told my mom that I wanted these headphones, but now I’ve got to tell her I got them.”
Then, he spotted a Spiderman webslinger and pulled it out of the bag – looking over at his little brother he said with a grin, “This, I’m not sharing.”
Third-grader Kayzah brushed it off – hoping he’d get a webslinger too. But when his name was called, Santa had something even bigger in mind. He rolled back towards the crowd with a shiny new bike.
“Look at this bad boy,” said Kayzah, overjoyed. “I barely know how to ride, so now I get to learn.”
That’s when Donnie had a change of heart. After a quick huddle, the deal was sealed.
“We worked it out,” said Donnie, smiling. “He can use the webslinger sometimes and I can use the bike sometimes.”
Donnie and Kayzah are two of 67 local children who received presents and a holiday party – made possible by the Labor team’s fundraising efforts at annual events including Labor on the Links and Sneaker Ball.
Five children were sponsored by United Way’s 2-1-1 team. A host of labor partners including IBEW Local 252, Sheet Metal Workers Local 80, Southeastern Building Trades Associates, UAW’s Local 7, Local 174, Local 869, Local 892 and Retirees, Local 892, Local 898 and Local 900, provided donations for Labor of Love.
KNOW YOU ARE LOVED
This year, the event made double the impact – hosting parties at UAW Local 898 in Ypsilanti and UAW Local 869 in Detroit. Students from Bow Elementary, Dove Academy, Harrington Elementary, Henderson Academy and Rawsonville Elementary experienced the magic of the season and the heart of Labor.
“Today is not about us, it’s all about you,” said Alicia Dennis, director of Labor Relations at United Way for Southeastern Michigan, to the students. “We’ve worked all summer just trying to get this together and we’ve had a couple of fundraisers, so that makes you very special.
“Know that you are loved, know that we are here for you, and again, Merry Christmas!”
At the party, the students enjoyed pizza, games, crafts and meeting iconic Christmas characters including Santa, Mrs. Claus, an Elf and the Grinch. At UAW Local 898, the Grinch tried to steal gifts, but the kids chased him out in a matter of minutes.
“You’ve got to be kidding me— my dream is coming true,” said Alyha, a second grader at Dove Academy, looking at her gifts. “If the Grinch tries to take my presents, I’ll show him these two fists.”
SUPPORT IN TOUGH TIMES
Rawsonville Elementary sent a questionnaire in October to see which families needed extra help. Due to rising prices, the requests for weekend meals have more than doubled from 30 to 75 students.
“Every year is more and more of a struggle,” said Yolanda Carpenter, social worker at Henderson Elementary. “Jobs aren’t paying enough to put food on the table, so this is about the community coming together if we want to survive.”
United Way labor liaisons worked with the schools to identify students in need who could attend Labor of Love. Then, their families were sent a wish list to fill out items for the students.
“This means a lot; it takes a lot of stress off of families this time of year,” said Jessica Kaba, secretary at Rawsonville Elementary. “Kids are getting things they wouldn’t otherwise be able to get.”
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