By TIM ROWDEN
EDITOR
The St. Louis Labor Council’s “$5 for the Fight” Fund got a big boost last week with a $5,000 donation from the O’Brien Law Firm to help union members and their families facing financial hardship. O’Brien Law, P.C. represents clients suffering from mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.
“We’re just trying to support Labor,” said attorney Jerry FitzGerald, the son of an asbestos worker whose uncles were also in the building trades. “Especially now, with all the legislative efforts to undermine unions, we feel it’s important to help Labor and help them in their efforts to help families in need.”
The Fight Fund, in partnership with the Labor Liaisons at the United Way of Greater St. Louis, has provided critical financial help and community referrals to some 111 families so far this this year.
The money does not go to individuals but goes directly to pay for rent, housing, medical expenses, transportation and other needs for members who are on strike, out of work or facing unforeseen medical expenses.
FUND IN GOOD SHAPE, BUT NEED REMAINS HIGH
“Thanks to donations like this from the O’Brien Law Firm, and others at the end of the year, a lot of people are getting critical help,” Labor Council President Pat White said.
“We get a check every day for $5 or $100 or $500 from retirees and active union members who just want to help out,” White said. “The need is always great, and it always helps to get a substantial donation like this from the O’Brien Law Firm. It helps keep us going.”
HOW TO DONATE
If you’d like to donate to the “$5 for the Fight” fund and help ensure money is available when it’s needed to help union members in need, you can donate by check, online or through the Schnucks eScrip program. Here’s how:
• Mail a check or money order to “$5 for the Fight,” c/o St. Louis Labor Council, 3301 Hollenberg Drive, Bridgeton, MO 63044. Please include your union affiliation.
• Make an online donation by visiting labortribune.com and clicking the “Donate $5 for the Fight” in the lower right-hand column of the homepage. An option to create a Reoccurring Automated Donation is also available.
• Use the Schnucks eScrip program. This is “free money” for the Fight Fund, and it doesn’t cost you a penny to participate. Just pick up a free eScrip card at your local Schnucks. When you show it at checkout, Schnucks will donate a percentage of your purchase to the Fight Fund based on your monthly purchases –– one percent for the first $300; two percent from $301-$600; and three percent from $601- $999.
If you already have a Schnucks eScrip Card, you can add the Fight Fund to your existing card by calling 1-800-931-6258 and adding “St. Louis Labor Council-5 for the Fight” to the organizations you want to support. You can designate up to three organizations to get the funding as long as the group is registered with Schnucks to participate.
Remember, every donation goes to help union members in need. Your donation will be recorded and included in the “$5 for the Fight Honor Roll” published periodically throughout the year in the Labor Tribune.
If you can contribute any amount, “Thank you” for agreeing that “We share because we care.”
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