Members of the Seafarers International Union (SIU) in Tacoma, Wash., have taken a special interest in helping the children of America’s enlisted men and women. In recent years, the size and scale of their toy drive for the Santa’s Castle program at Fort Lewis has reached the point that this holiday season they raised about $4,500 worth of cash and toys, including bicycles, skateboards, remote-control cars, board games, dolls and all kinds of other toys that were given to the military at the annual SIU holiday luncheon.
Over the past 5 years, the SIU in Tacoma has raised more than $20,000 for the toy drive. “We are very proud of our military and the huge responsibility and personal sacrifice they take on for all of us,” said Joe Vincenzo, SIU Port Agent in Tacoma. “This is our chance to thank the troops for their service. And we are equally proud to be their partners as the fourth arm of national defense, whether it’s providing vital logistical support from the sea, underway replenishment, or in countless other ways.”
Also in Tacoma, the employees of Totem Ocean Trailer Express, Inc. (TOTE) banded together in the spirit of the holidays to help families in need. The Tacoma and Federal Way employee contributions will help a local family have a much brighter holiday. The adopted family includes six children ranging in age from two months to nine years. Employees’ generosity allowed TOTE to provide gifts, food, toiletries and firewood to this family. In addition to the fun gifts, each family member received a coat, shoes and socks, pajamas, clothing and a filled stocking. Employees also provided enough food for a wonderful Christmas breakfast and dinner, along with all the staples to last several weeks.
The Alaska TOTE office once again adopted a family of six through the Salvation Army, four boys, mom and dad. Through the generosity of TOTE Alaska employees, they were able to fulfill the family’s needs and wishes with such items as clothing, gift certificates, toys, and movie passes.
“I could not be more proud of our employees and their generosity,” said John Parrott, President of TOTE. “They continue to give back to the community and help those in need, especially during the holiday season.”
Crowley Maritime Corporation is one of the largest U.S.-flag operators, so while it is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, the company has employees in 11 states, and throughout Central America and the Caribbean. Crowley’s Miami Employee Activities Committee organized a toy drive and collected 130 presents for the St. Alban’s Child Enrichment Center. The company’s Port Everglades Terminal actually had two toy drives that left lots of smiling faces at Kids in Distress and the Advance Learning Center. Up in Alaska, Crowley folks volunteered to wrap presents for children being sheltered from physical and substance abuse.
"All of us at Crowley are committed to supporting the people and communities we serve domestically and internationally through mentoring, volunteerism, fundraising and educational support," said Bryan Lee, Crowley's Vice President of Human Resources. "This is especially important during the holidays, which is a time when unfortunately, some people don't have the means to celebrate with their loved ones as they would like to."
Over on the Great Lakes, the weather announces to sailors and longshoremen that Christmas is coming. Ice starts to form on Lake Superior in early December, but U.S.-flag “lakers” keep sailing well into January. That doesn’t stand in the way of the Michigan Maritime Trades Port Council. This year the organization raised nearly $3,000 for the Carpenters’ Christmas for Kids, Care House Christmas for Kids, and the Metro Detroit Community Services’ Holiday Basket Give Away.
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