.body.JPG "Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Wonderland")
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic Winter Wonderland Santa Claus is starting early at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic as children receiving treatment for cancer are enjoying a Winter-Wonderland celebration. The party includes visits from Santa, gifts, arts & crafts and lunch, all thanks in part to a large donation by union trades people and contractors. The Winter Wonderland is taking place from now until Friday, December 18th, 2009.
Donations began pouring in after a Pipefitter with Local 537, Mike Morgan, posted a flyer asking men and women on the job at Dana-Farber Yawkey Center for Cancer Care to donate one hour of their salary to the children at the Dana Farber-Cancer Institute. Many of the union craftspeople are closing out their work at the project and some knew they were losing their job, but wanted to help anyway.
“It was amazing how much money we raised, when we presented the check they expected about $500 , but we raised more than $27,000 and the money keeps pouring in,” says Morgan. “ We are so happy to be able to help in any way and it is just a small way to help these children.”
Dana-Farber Media Relations Manager Anne Doerr says the Ironworkers from Local 7 spray painted the names of children receiving cancer treatment at the hospital on the beams at the beginning of construction of the new building in February. The children could see their names on the beams from their hospital windows.
“We want the children know that we were thinking of them at the beginning of the project and we won’t forget about them and will keep them in our hearts when the job is finished,” says Morgan. The new state of the art Yawkey Center is slated for completion in 2011.
Lisa Scherber, director of activities for the Jimmy Fund Clinic at Dana-Farber, says, “Our mouths dropped when they handed us the check. Now we have money not only for the Winter Wonderland, but for programs and gifts throughout the year for the children. It is also amazing to see such a giving spirit in these tough economic times especially in the construction industry, but the union construction folks have always been generous and willing to help. These programs bring such joy to these children facing cancer.” Area businesses, individuals, the Pan-Mass Challenge and hospital workers also help to fund the event every year.
Massachusetts Building Trades Council President, Frank Callahan says,”This is just one of the examples of how the union building trades members not only do high quality work on projects, but give back to the communities in which they work. The building trade unions and their members have been helping out many charities during these tough economic times.”
For interviews and additional information at Dana Farber, contact: Dana Farber Media Relations Manager, Anne Doerr at (617) 632-5665.
For interviews with union trades people and contractors contact: Christina Chatalian, Communications Coordinator, The Construction Institute at (315) 558-8419.
