Ohio Unions Help Give Needy Families Christmas Care

Dave Caldwell, president of the Central Ohio Labor Council AFL-CIO; Michelle Mills, CEO & president of St. Stephen’s Community House; Columbus City Council member Andrew Ginther; Columbus City Council President Pro Tem Hearcel Craig; and Columbus Labor Council member Bob Garvin took part in the Christmas Care campaign.

Suzanne Irwin, who works in communications for the Central Ohio Labor Council, reports on union volunteer efforts to help the community this holiday season.

St. Stephen’s Community House has joined forces once again with the Central Ohio Labor Council in the 2009 Christmas Care/One New Toy Campaign at St. Stephen’s Community House in Columbus, Ohio. Community leaders, labor officials and public officers gathered Friday, Nov. 20, to highlight the partnership and address the urgent needs of central Ohio families.

The St. Stephen’s Community House and Central Ohio Labor Council collaboration began in 1982 through the inspirational leadership of former Columbus City Councilman John Maloney to provide children with at least one new toy and family holiday provisions. Since then, the Christmas Care/One New Toy program has served countless union families in the Greater Linden area. More than 2,300 families will be served at St. Stephen’s on the Dec. 19 and 20 distribution dates. The Central Ohio Labor Council will donate $8,000 in new toys, along with pallets of fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, poultry and bakery goods valued at more than $100,000.

Michelle Mills, St. Stephen’s CEO and president, says the efforts of union volunteers are essential to St. Stephen’s mission:

The profound civic-minded support of the Central Ohio Labor Council is vitally important to the families of St. Stephen’s Community House. Our historic alliance creates a spirit of joy and self sufficiency within the Greater Linden community. We are indebted to the council’s generosity and magnanimous efforts.

Central Ohio Labor Council Executive Director Walter Workman says union members were glad to come together to help families during these difficult times:

Hunger is hard. What began in 1982 as an effort to sustain families has grown into an annual effort that involves more than 200 labor volunteers. We do what has to be done for families—union and nonunion—who are in need.

Registration for the 2009 Christmas Care/One New Toy program is available through St. Stephen’s Community House before Dec. 12, 2009.

Families residing in the following central Ohio Zip codes are eligible with appropriate documentation: 43201, 43211, 43219, 43224, 43229, 43230, 43231 and 43081.

For registration requirements, please call 614-294-6347.

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