The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 is making sure local families do not go cold in this harsh Midwest winter. The union held a coat drive during the month of December and collected nearly 1,000 coats, hats and other winter items for men, women and children in Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana and Eastern Iowa.
With temperatures often dropping well below average this winter, Midwestern families are in greater need of appropriate outdoor clothing and the price of good quality coats, scarves and hats adds up for families with many growing children. Local 150 is hoping to help eliminate this extra expense for families in need.
“So many working families are already struggling with high winter heating bills and we are hoping to lighten their burdens,” said James M. Sweeney, Local 150 President–Business Manager. “I am proud to see our members so willing to give back to their local communities. We take pride in being good neighbors.”
This is Local 150’s first annual coat drive. Donations were collected in all eight of the union’s districts and donated to their local Salvation Army, covering communities in Northern Illinois, Northern Indiana and Eastern Iowa. Due to the success of the coat drive, Local 150 will hold it annually in the future. Other recent charity work by Local 150 includes the Sweeney Classic golf fundraiser which raised $300,000 for the Navy SEAL – Naval Special Warfare Family Foundation in August.
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 150 is a labor union representing 23,000 working men and women in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Local 150 represents workers in various industries, including construction, construction material development, public works, concrete pumping, steel mill service, slag processing and others.