AFSCME Salutes R.I. Veterans
November 08, 2008
FETED & FED – Jennifer Jones (left) and Rosemarie Mendes, institutional attendants at the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol – and members of Local 904 (Council 94) – serving residents at the steak fry. (Photo credit: John Mottern)
Members of Rhode Island Council 94 and AFSCME International honored the service of 253 residents of the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol last month with a steak fry and a hefty donation, bringing smiles to the veterans and pride to the employees – members of Local 904.
Over the past six months, members of the state’s largest public employees union – representing more than 10,000 active and retired municipal, state and private-sector employees – raised $5,600 by selling candy bars and collecting donations from members of other unions. Their generosity was matched by a check for $5,550 from the AFSCME International Union.
“The greatest way to honor our soldiers is by ensuring that returning veterans get the care and respect they deserve, and to make sure that no matter how long ago they served, we always remember their sacrifice,” says Council 94 Exec. Dir. Dennis Grilli. “AFSCME members are proud to work every day to support the heroes at the Rhode Island Veterans Home, and we are proud to have contributed more than $10,000 for them.”
How the money will be spent depends on the needs and wishes of the veterans themselves. A committee at the Bristol home has been established to approve expenditures. This effort is part of AFSCME International’s Matching Fund for Veterans program, which has so far provided such necessities as computers, TVs, athletic fields and thermal clothing. The International Union is encouraging affiliates in 15 states where AFSCME represents workers at veterans’ homes to “adopt” those homes and to engage their communities in fundraising drives.
About 200 employees work at the Bristol VA home. Many of them helped prepare and serve food at the Oct. 14 event, which drew a host of elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts, General Treas. Frank Caprio, Secretary of State Ralph Mollis and state Rep. Raymond Gallison Jr.
For more information on this event, check out this post on the Rhode Island's Future blog. Also, read about Council 94’s successful fight last year to block Governor Carcieri’s plan to privatize service at the veterans home (PDF).
