Local 1402 kicks off holidays in style

Local 1402’s holiday celebration was bigger and better than ever this year. Members not only received an early visit from Santa but they were also able to tour Duluth’s Great Aquarium and Bentleyville. “It’s an exciting way to enjoy the holiday season, catch up with folks and get to know newer members and their families. It is a great reminder of why we do the work we do as MAPE leaders,” Local 1402 President Ariel Johnson said.

Members and their families dined on a smorgasbord of delicious hors de oeuvres and desserts but the biggest treat of the evening was a visit from the jolly bearded man himself, Santa Claus! ”It was truly an honor to be asked to be Santa Claus again this year,” said aka Local 1402 Membership Secretary Jamie Juenemann. “Greeting everyone with a ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ as they came in and seeing the reactions on the kids’ faces was such a joy. I mean, you’re the Big G – Santa Claus! It doesn’t matter if you’re two or 92, it just brings out the joy and smiles in everyone.”

After dinner, Santa invited everyone up for story time and gifts. The kids asked Santa to read How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. And it wasn’t just children gathered around Santa. Moms and dads were sitting there, too, mouthing lines and finishing sentences!

As story time ended, kids sat next to Santa for photos and a chance to put in their requests for presents. One young boy told Santa he couldn’t decide what to give his parents for Christmas, so Santa gave him some ideas. “How about giving mom and dad a short, handwritten story of your favorite time with them this last year. Maybe a trip you all took. Or a family get-together. Adding some hand-drawn pictures would be a nice touch. All parents would love to receive a gift like that!”

“My kids and I had a really nice time. I met a colleague that I hadn’t met before, so that was fun,” said Local 1402’s Cynthia Hakala.

Johnson said the event highlighted the importance of building the Local’s community within MAPE and how significant the union has been to her and her son. “I started tearing up thinking of how fortunate Joey and I are to have opportunities like this – to be part of such an incredible community. The strength of the connections really shows when you overhear folks commenting on how big the kids have gotten since last year or congratulating one another for life events. It's through events like this that we are building not only a stronger union, but also a stronger sense of community and belonging,” she added.