Unifor Local 199 entered a team in the Walk For Alzheimer’s held at Brock University to raise awareness and funds for the Niagara Alzheimer’s Society. John Pula has been involved with the walk for over 12 years and said he has seen the event grow in size over the years. This year our team comprised of retirees, students, young workers, senior workers, Executive Board members and National Union reps. Wayne Gates MPP and Malcolm Allen former MP joined our team at the walk.This year we decided to donate all the money we collected in Bob Whites name as a tribute to the former president of the CAW and CLC. Bob White passed away in 2017 and left a major impression on the Canadian labour movement. What I found particularly interesting about this campaign was the different dialog and discussion that was started around dementia how it impacts families.  I was truly surprised to learn how many of our members have been impacted and how difficult it is to cope with dementia.

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TEAM BOB WHITE –  left to right – Peter Scott, Scott Martini, Elaine Steers. Mark Roy, Ed Steers, Lorie Peacock, Rick Alakas, Justin Gniposky, Angelo Marano, Wayne Gates, Greg Brady, Tim McKinnon, Dave De Marco, Ashley Kofsky, Mohamad Nazir, John Neely, Bob Dunlop, Detrick Stewart, Quinton Ascah, Nathan Stewart, Malcolem Allen,  Doris Maxwell, John Pula, Steve McMullen. Team members not in picture (Tony Tyminski, Gaston Mawaya, Jeff Burch and Jordan Lennox)

Walks were held in TIllsonburg, Ingersoll, Woodstock, Hamilton and Niagara. Total raised in the five walk was about $200,000. Unifor teams raised over $25,568. The moneys raised came form our members, their friends and families. The funds we raised were all donated in Bob Whites name. The walks encourage a little bit of friendly competition between the team, Unifor Local 199 won the team challenge by raising the most funds, Justin Gniposky from Unifor won the award for top individual fund raiser, congratulations and Kudos to Justin who personally raised over $2,200, very impressive. We asked our members who walked to raise $100 in pledges, everyone managed to do that some like Justin raised more.  We would like to thank everyone who supported this worthy cause by walking or donating funds, no doubt Bob White would be proud of your contribution and efforts.

We would like to encourage our members at other Local Unions to consider entering a team in their community.  Across Canada there are walks for Alzheimer’s in 173 different communities, click on the link to see where and when the walks are scheduled.  Find a walk near you We also have a few shirts left if you want to purchase them.  Any money donated by our members in these walks will be added to TEAM Bob White total.

A big thank you to Arnie De Vaan from local 707 came down for the day to take pictures for us,  to see Arnie’s pictures click here… Images from the event (Arnie I owe you one) Article on Unifor National Site

In Solidarity
Peter Scott

 

“Walking together, we can make a difference”

For more information contact Peter Scott 905-328-9899  E Mail