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Rhode Island - Saluting Our Veterans

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Rhode Island veterans home

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

Bristol, Rhode Island

Members of Rhode Island Council 94 and AFSCME International honored the service of 253 residents of the Rhode Island Veterans Home in Bristol 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 $5,550 check from the AFSCME International Union.

“The best way to honor our soldiers is to give veterans the dignity and care that they have earned,” says Council 94 Pres. J. Michael Downey. “Our members are proud to care for the residents of the Rhode Island Veterans Home, and we are pleased to have raised more than $10,000 for our veterans.”

How the money will be spent depends on the desires 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 provided computers, TVs and thermal clothing since its inception in November 2007.

The program was inspired by members of Connecticut Council 4, who have contributed more than $250,000 to veterans homes over the past five years. Last year, they donated eight plasma TVs, 40 rocking chairs, picnic tables and benches to the Connecticut Veterans Home in Rocky Hill. They also gave the home a $500 gift certificate to purchase DVDs.

The International Union works with affiliates in 15 states where AFSCME represents workers at veterans’ homes to “adopt” those homes and to engage their communities in fundraising drives.

 

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