Foundation donates $20,000 to March of Dimes
13-Aug-07 |
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UAW Vice President General Holiefield has a vision. The director of the union’s Chrysler Department wants to see a “Judy Gettelfinger smile” on the faces of children all over metropolitan Detroit. He and UAW President Ron Gettelfinger’s wife Judy – whom Holiefield calls “the First Lady of our union” – took a big step toward that goal this week. They presented a $20,000 check to the March of Dimes on behalf of Holiefield’s Leave the Light On Foundation, a new charitible organization with a special interest in kids. The donation, raised through the foundation’s inaugural event, a July 23 golf outing, was gratefully accepted Monday by Michigan March of Dimes Director Thomas A. Riopelle. He praised what he said was the UAW’s “critical” role in helping the organization maintain and enhance its programs. “The UAW has really stepped up and brought in funding,” and not just in Michigan, Riopelle said. “Through Ron’s leadership, the union and the Big Three automakers have partnered to engage their employees around the country … enabling us to increase our program activities. “These are tough times,” Riopelle added, “and that makes the support (from union members) just incredible. To do these things in good times is great, but in times like these, it’s heroic.” Brian Negovan, labor liaison to the Michigan Chapter of March of Dimes and recording secretary for UAW Local 155, echoed Riopelle’s comments, noting that “the March of Dimes was totally overwhelmed when they found out what labor could do working with management,” not just in Michigan but across the country. “It’s our membership and leadership nationwide that have impressed the March of Dimes with how important labor is to their charitable efforts,” he said.
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Holiefield said the Leave the Light On Foundation was “a brand new fundraising effort” and that he had asked Judy Gettelfinger to choose which charity would receive the proceeds from its first event. The choice of the March of Dimes was an easy one for Gettelfinger, she said, “because I’m personally involved (with the organization) and I believe in their goals – especially in putting an end to premature births. “I love babies, and the March of Dimes loves babies,” she said. Holiefield said that “I asked Judy not only because … she has been very active in the community and not only because she is the ‘first lady’ of our union … but because she has such a kind and giving heart, a special love of children … and a wonderful smile. “If I could put a Judy Gettelfinger smile on all those children’s faces,” he said, “that would be something!” That’s a lofty goal, but Holiefield said his Leave the Light On Foundations was just getting started. “What I envision is not just an organization that will ‘repair broken toys’ (help people with problems that seen insurmountable to them) but would be an outreach, especially to underprivileged children … to put smiles on their faces … not just in the city but the whole metropolitan area. “We want to help not just one or a couple individuals,” Holiefield continued. “We want to put a special focus on children … on homeless children … on scholarships for children. But we’ll do other things where they are needed, too.” The union leader said he and the volunteers who are helping to staff his foundation are planning other events to gather more funds, including occasions such as dinner dances and riverboat cruises. Holiefield’s Leave the Light On Foundation also expressed appreciation for Judy Gettelfinger’s involvement with March of Dimes and other community organizations by presenting her with a crystal lighthouse, the foundation’s symbol. It was inscribed: To Judy Gettelfinger “for her love of the community and contributions to mankind, for her giving spirit as a labor of love, for leaving the light on for those who otherwise would not believe in hope.” That giving spirit, Ron Gettelfinger added, is characteristic of the relationship between the UAW and organizations like the March of Dimes. “It’s about community and giving back,” the UAW president said.
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Donating is easy online, by phone or mail / fax.
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