CWA 6300 supports heroic efforts of the BackStoppers

HONORING JACK MARTORELLI, CWA Local 6300 President Mark Johnson (second from left) presents a $4,000 check to the BackStoppers in honor of Jack Martorelli, co-founder of the BackStoppers’ major fundraising arm, Guns ‘N Hoses, who died earlier this year. Brother Martorelli, retired member and business manager of Operating Engineers Local 513, remained active in Labor events and was a major BackStoppers supporter. Accepting the check are Backstoppers Executive Director, retired St. Louis County Police Chief Ron Battelle (third from left) and Gina Martorelli Knoll, Brother Martorelli’s daughter and executive assistant to St. Louis Building Trades Council Executive Secretary-Treasurer John Stiffler (at right). Also giving a “thumbs up” for the BackStoppers’ work and appreciation to Local 6300 for their support are Local 6300 Legislative Chairman Mike Songer (left) and St. Louis Labor Council President Pat White (second from right). Local 6300 has sponsored a golf tournament for the past 20 years, raising an average of $5,000 a year for charities; the BackStoppers have been the recipient for the past five years. Currently, BackStoppers are supporting 80 families and 70 children of first responders killed in the line of duty. Since its formation in 1959, it has provided financial support for 170 families of police, fire fighters, EMTs and paramedics, providing an average of $2 million a year in assistance to these families. – Labor Tribune photo