Locals extend holiday cheer to their communities

MAPE locals across the state are making a difference this holiday season by holding food drives, collecting toys for military kids, gifts for seniors and hosting a blood drive to honor the victims of the Annunciation School shooting and colleagues directly impacted by it.

Locals 1402 food drive 

Local 1402 kicked off its holiday spirit last month with a food drive in Duluth for the northern part of the state. Food donation drop boxes, pictured below, were placed in offices at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Department of Natural Resources and Department of Transportation. Members collected 210 pounds of food for Second Harvest Northland.  

“The reality is that our communities are hurting. Unions have always been about improving lives and strengthening communities. Wages have remained flat while the cost of living continues to rise, leaving families struggling to pay rent, put food on the table and access the medical care they need,” said Local 1402’s David Grandmaison. “Our MAPE Food Drive reflects what it means to be a union: looking out for one another and stepping up when it matters most. Working together to support organizations like Second Harvest Northland is an extension of that mission, and it’s more important than ever.” 

For more information about volunteering or donating, visit Second Harvest Heartland.  

Local 1101 shows seniors they are not forgotten 

Last week, Local 1101 combined its monthly membership meeting with a holiday party and luncheon, along with its annual donation drive to Gifts for Seniors, an organization long supported by the Local during the holiday season. “1101 has had a wonderful relationship with Gifts for Seniors for many years now and every year we enjoy hosting a gift drive and donating money,” Local 1101 President Halie Rostberg said.  

The Local donated two car trunks full of gifts ranging from sheet sets to winter boots and electric toothbrushes and $500 in cash donations. “We find it important to recognize and support an often neglected and forgotten population – lonely and isolated seniors,” Rostberg added. 

The nonprofit, which serves more than 8,000 older adults annually, strives to build community connections and show seniors they matter.  

The program operates year-round. For more information about volunteering or donating, visit www.giftsforseniors.org.  

Local 1201 collects record donations for Toys 4 Military Kids 

Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College teamed up for some friendly competition for a good cause: Toys 4 Military Kids. Donation bins were placed in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and Operations areas at both colleges. This year the divisions at both colleges worked together to see which group could collect the most donations.  

Local 1201 Vice President Jill Fiedler works at Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College as the Veterans Service Representative. “I work with the students and work with their needs. A lot of our service members and veterans are very proud and don’t want to say they need help.  

“Veterans are a huge part of my family: my husband, father and brothers all served in the military. Growing up, my mom had to get help, and I knew that I needed help so others can have Christmases. We are collecting gifts for people who most likely wouldn’t ask for help,” Fiedler said.  

The Student Affairs Team won this year’s competition with 68 items, followed by Academic Affairs with 25 and Operations with 21 items. Hundreds of dollars in gift cards and cash were also donated. The most popular items donated this year were trucks and footballs and, in case you were wondering, dolls and Squishmallows were the most popular donations last year.   

“I do this work as a tribute to my brother – it helps him live on through this work. He died by suicide after living with PTSD for years. I want all veterans to feel honored. That is my hope,” Fiedler said.    

If you are interested in donating, visit TOYS 4 MILITARY KIDS | Eagan Kick-Start Rotary Club. 

Local 1002 hosts the Great Labor Bake-Off and an all-day blood drive to honor Annunciation School shooting victims  

Instead of participating in a monthly meeting yesterday, Local 1002 members spent the hour sampling colleagues’ tasty treats in the Great Labor Bake-Off. “We do a contest for most delicious, as well as the best labor-themed entry,” Local 1002 Membership Secretary and soon-to-be President Holly Andersen.   

Members hosted an all-day blood drive at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) building to honor the victims of the Annunciation School mass shooting. “It occurred so close to home – we help all schools in emergencies. This is a way to honor the victims of Annunciation and show solidarity with colleagues personally impacted by the shooting,” Andersen said.  

“When it feels like so many things are out of our control, we can try to help people and give to the community. Forty-two MDE people signed up to donate blood. Each donation will help three people. This means 126 lives will be impacted,” Andersen added. “The Red Cross usually receives its lowest amount of blood donations in December, so it is especially important to donate now.” 

If you’re interested in volunteering or donating, visit American Red Cross | Help Those Affected by Disasters.