September 14, 2007

Organized Labor, United Way Team Up To Deliver New Backpacks And Supplies To Students

Generous donations and volunteers allowed for every student at the school to received a bag

Rochester, NY -– Every student at Rochester City School District School No. 22 today received brand new backpacks filled with school supplies today. Members of the AFL-CIO Community Services Committee and representatives from United Way coordinated the project and delivered the supplies during a special assembly this morning.

Nearly 500 backpacks were handed out, each filled with pencils, colored pencils, crayons, folders, glue sticks, folders, and notepads. The items were purchased thanks to the generous support of The Rochester Building Trades – who donated more than $4,000 - and Tops Friendly Markets, who donated more than $1,200 in supplies. Wegmans Food Markets also supported the cause by donating a $400 gift card.

“We all know how expensive it is to buy our children new backpacks and the necessary supplies each year,” said Rosemarie McKinney, Director AFL-CIO Community Services at United Way. “This is just one way organized labor can give back, and help the young people in our community find academic success.”

“Organized labor is dedicated to giving back to our community, and especially to showing our commitment to the children of our community,” said Anthony Cuchiarale of United Food and Commercials Workers, Local 1. “This is a neighborhood where we can really make a difference.”

The United Way’s AFL-CIO Community Services Committee is a committee of union members who partner with United Way for the benefit of our community. The committee’s chairperson is Garry Cranker, a retired member of IUE Local 509.

To learn more about all the work United Way and its donors accomplish, please visit www.uwrochester.org.



United Way’s mission is to magnify and focus the power of community resources to address our most pressing social needs.