PEOPLE Breaks Records — Again
By Jon Melegrito
AFSCME's PEOPLE program did it again. Its Convention activities set numerous new records, thanks to vigorous volunteers and spirited supporters who helped raise $140,000.
PEOPLE (Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality) is set up to help elect union-friendly public officials, and this year's events generated even more energy and enthusiasm than usual. The dollars raised surpassed by almost $9,000 the amount collected at the 2000 Convention. The stock of 2002 PEOPLE T-shirts was depleted by Monday. Other popular items included umbrellas, seat cushions, tank tops and "AFSCME Rocks" polo shirts.
Antonia Marte, executive vice president of Local 420 (New York DC 37), won the silent auction at the PEOPLE Booth, contributing $250 for a vest containing a large assortment of AFSCME pins. Jerry Gladden, a retired mental-health direct care aide who is president of Missouri Local 1810 (Council 72), generously donated the prized item; he had been collecting the pins since 1972.
Also exceeding expectations: the amount collected from the traditional Fun Run. The early morning jaunt along Sunset Park's meandering, three-mile course raised $27,450 — the highest amount ever, breaking the record set in 2002 by almost 30 percent. Undeterred by blazing sun and a group of persistently curious goslings, 147 runners representing 30 affiliates pounded the pavement, drawing cheers from a crowd that ignored the 7 a.m. start to line both sides of the course.
Washington state's Gordon Bowman (Local 793, Council 28) and Michigan's Susan Thompson (Local 25, Council 25) again won — the fifth victory for Bowman, the second straight for Thompson.
Top fundraiser
Ohio Council 8 Pres. Pat Moss, an International vice president, raised the most money: $4,860, more than double her previous effort in Philadelphia. Thomas Oi of the Hawaii Government Employees Association/AFSCME Local 152 ranked second with $836, followed by Jo Ann Keese of Local 1637 (Pennsylvania Council 33) with $493.
Special recognition once again went to the Women's Action Relay Team from the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association/AFSCME Local 11. By raising $8,550, the local topped its all-time record by more than one-third. Connecticut Council 4, with $1,671, was also recognized.
The other Fun Run winners: Alex Acosta, Local 2306 (New Jersey Council 52); Stacey King, Local 45 (Pennsylvania Council 13); Ken Kovacs, Local 755 (Ohio Council 8); and Lynette Smith, Local 109 (Washington Council 2). Council 13, with 24 runners, was the best-represented legislative district.
Loneste Blackwell, 77, representing Ohio Retirees Chapter 1184, repeated her distinction of being the oldest contestant. The youngest was 6-year-old Hannah Webber, grandchild of Kathy Garin of Local 2367 (Council 13).
As always, the Fun Run was much more about participation than about winning. Bradford Steele, of Local 2620 (California Council 57), exemplified the prevailing spirit when he took off from the starting line in a wheelchair.
