Laborers Local 110 hosts 19th Annual Backpack Drive for members’ children

By SHERI GASSAWAY
Assistant Editor

Sunset Hills, MO – Laborers Local 110 recently helped over 150 of its members’ families lessen the burden of back-to-school expenses with its 19th Annual Backpack Drive.

The 360 backpacks were filled with age-appropriate school supplies with the help of a handful of Local 110 retiree and apprentice volunteers and given out at the Local 110 union hall on Aug. 3. The event also featured free haircuts, gift cards, projects to keep the kids busy and a health fair for members of Laborers Locals 110 and 42.

‘SUPPORTING THE MEMBERS’ FAMILIES’
“We believe that supporting the members’ families is as equally important as supporting the members themselves,” said Sarah Schwartz, Local 110 office manager and organizer of the event.

And families were appreciative of that support. Lori Sedrick, whose daughter Heather Leaders and husband Jim Sedrick are both laborers, attended the event with her daughter and grandkids.

‘TREMENDOUS HELP’
“Work has been slow for my daughter lately so this has been a tremendous help and really lifted a burden,” Sedrick said.

Marissa Morris’s husband Jacob is a Local 110 member and brought her son Abel to the event.

“We’ve come the last couple of years,” said Morris. “The free haircuts and school supplies really help out a lot, and the free health checkup is nice, too.”

Schwartz said the remainder of the backpacks will be given out to members attending the next union meeting who had to miss the event.