Taylor Wheeler, WUW area manager accepts a symbolic check representing 2013 donations raised by the AFS/IAM team. Pictured from the left are: Sonny Moore, AFS; Lowell Green, general manager, AFS; Heather Helms, AFS; Taylor Wheeler, WUW area manager; Rob Fittro, AFS/IAM WUW co-chair; Tony Barnes, president, IAM Local 2003; Madison Cox, AFS/IAM WUW campaign co-chair; Fred Duff, AFS. |
Local 2003 at Ft. Rucker, AL capped off a great year of giving by delivering, in partnership with employer Army Fleet Support (AFS),an oversized check to the Wiregrass United Way (WUW) of more than $320,000.
“We work with AFS through the year to raise money for the 37 well-deserving agencies of the Wiregrass United Way,” said Local 2003 President Tony Barnes. “AFS allowed us the time and resources to raise this money, often on company time. This was always an important goal for both of us, and we did it together. The AFS/IAM Team was the largest organizational giver to the WUW last year, and I expect we will be again this year.”
Guide Dogs of America is one of the 37 organizations that the WUW supports. Local 2003 doesn’t just stop with United Way, however.
“Our goal as a union in this area is to contribute to and improve our community,” said Barnes. “We are involved year-round to work and raise money. We raised over $75,000 for Relay for Life and $3,000 for Angel Tree, to ensure underprivileged children on the base and in the community had a bright Christmas and we hold numerous fund-raisers for Guide Dogs as well. Local 2003 members Richard Green and Adam Beasley help lead these efforts through the year.”
“Our members at Local 2003 demonstrate how important unions are to a community,” said Southern Territory GVP Bob Martinez, Jr. “Strong union contracts and wages raise the standard of living for the entire community and we partner with employers and local organizations to improve the area in many ways. I join the entire IAM in applauding the fine efforts of Local 2003 to fulfill the IAM motto of “Justice on the Job, Service to the Community.”