Union organizes holiday cheer throughout the nation

As workers and their families celebrate during this festive time of the year, SMART-TD members across the country are stepping up to ensure that those who might need a little extra help in their communities are able to experience the joy of the holiday season.

Whether it’s through food and toy drives in Illinois or a bike drive in Tennessee, three locals exemplify how the SMART-TD union family takes action during this time of giving.

Toy drive for the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest in Chicago

In Chicago, the members of Local 1534 have been working with the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation for the past three years. Together, they ensure that children and teenagers don’t have their holiday season overshadowed by an endless stream of medical treatments as they battle cancer.

Once a child completes their chemotherapy or radiation treatments, the Pediatric Oncology Treasure Chest Foundation provides trips to the “treasure chest” to let a child pick out a toy.  

This year, Local 1534 collected over 100 toys and $200 worth of gift cards to add to the treasure chest.

The foundation operates year-round but primarily focuses on the holiday season, and those who have seen the warehouse describe it as if you’re stepping into a Toys R Us.

Food, Bike Drives Bring More Holiday Cheer

For the second year in a row, SMART-TD Local 445 hosted the Yuletide Food Drive in partnership with the Jamieson Food Bank in Monmouth, IL and the Fish Food Pantry in Galesburg, IL.

Headed up by Brothers Wes Ekstedt, Josh Gordon, and Jack Girard, the local collected over 400 pounds of food and nearly $800 to distribute throughout the community.

In Memphis, TN, SMART-TD Local 1557 just wrapped up its second bike drive and secured 100 bikes for the Binghampton Development Corporation after setting a goal of just 20 the year before, which it far surpassed.

According to Local Chairperson Jonathan Hickerson, the goal of the event is to simply better the community.

He enjoys seeing folks’ willingness to donate and how much the drive brings the community together.

“Knowing that both years every family that wanted a bike was able to get a bike…seeing that building full of toys and bikes and seeing our co-workers come together to assemble and deliver the bikes has been so rewarding,” Hickerson said.

Local 1557 is already planning to hold the bike drive again in 2025 and hopes that it will continue to grow even more.

These three examples are a testament to what being a part of the SMART-TD union family is all about, and we thank every member who made this holiday season a little brighter for their communities.