At their recent Midwest Territory Staff Conference, IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli announced the 2023 IAM Midwest Territory Helping Hands Award winners, affectionately known as the “IAM Helpy’s.”

The IAM Helpy Awards – now in its sixth year in the Midwest Territory – is the Territory’s way of honoring those IAM Districts and Unaffiliated Locals who answered the call to serve their communities as part of the Territory’s “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” program.

“The IAM Helpy Awards pay tribute to the exceptional efforts of IAM Districts and Locals who have dedicated themselves to serving their communities as part of the Territory’s ‘IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community’ program,” said Cicinelli. “Every District and unaffiliated Local sponsors a H.E.L.P.S. project each year. Congratulations to all the recipients of this year’s awards. I am truly impressed by the dedication and hard work shown by our members, their family and friends working together striving to make a positive impact in their communities.  We are definitely proud of all the projects throughout the Midwest that have helped those in need.”

District 9: Most Unique 
District 9 held its HELPS event in October 2023. Volunteers gathered to build “sharing libraries.” These sharing libraries were filled with donated books and placed in various locations in Pacific, Mo. The area has a low literacy rate and has a small union footprint in the community. District 9 is targeting this area for organizing opportunities. The IAM logo was placed on each of the sharing libraries.

Mechanics Local 701: Most Volunteer Participation 
Mechanics Local 701 held its 2023 HELPS event in October at a food bank called “Feed My Starving Children” in Aurora, Ill. Over 30 volunteers gathered to donate their time and labor to pack rice, beans and dry lentils in packages to distribute to families overseas who desperately needed food. Volunteers assisted in packaging 201 boxes. Each box contained 36 bags, providing 124 children with a daily meal for an entire year, which equaled 45,000 meals.

District 77: Best Advocate for Military Veterans
District 77 held its 2023 HELPS event at a transitional house for women veterans who are experiencing homelessness. Volunteers from across Minnesota turned out to do significant landscaping around the house and garage.

District 6: Best Overall 
District 6 held its 2023 HELPS event at a senior citizens assisted living home and performed intense landscaping. Volunteers gathered from across the District to clear the underbrush and trees from the pond’s shore where residents could enjoy a clear view of the pond and associated wildlife. The work was physically demanding, and volunteers cleared so much vegetation from the shoreline that management asked them to stop due to the vast amount of compiled yard waste.

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 as a way to provide essential support to residents in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing. For more on IAM H.E.L.P.S. click here.

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On Good Friday, March 29, 2024, IAM District 5 held its annual HELPS event at the Great Plains Food Bank in Fargo, N.D.

Thirteen volunteers that represented Locals 2525, W384 and W33, along with family and friends of the members from those three locals, donated their time and labor to helps kids in need of food assistance.  The group participated in the GPFB’s Backpack Program, in which volunteers packed various non-perishable food items into over 720 bags for distribution.

“We believe that by giving back to our communities through our HELPS program, we are making a difference in the lives of children who are in need of food assistance,” said IAM District 5 Directing Business Representative Jeremy Pearson. “District 5 understands that being an integral part of our community through volunteerism is the key to making the lives better for people who made need some help from time to time.”

“Living up in the ‘North Country’ comes with a multitude of challenges, including economic ones that may adversely affect families that create food insecurity,” said IAM District 5 Assistant Directing Business Representative Joe Schwartz, who helped to organize the event. “The members of our Locals who participated, along with family and friends, were humbled to take the time and effort to help out those in need.”

“The IAM Midwest Territory is committed to service in every community. District 5 and Locals 2525, W384 and W33 are showing their commitment to that very ideal. Helping families with food assistance leads to better lives for all in their communities,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “Our thanks go out to every member and their families who participated by volunteering their time and effort that will help our neighbors in need.” 

IAM District 5 covers North Dakota, South Dakota and parts of northern Minnesota.

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The post District 5 Gives Back to North Dakota Food Bank in Annual HELPS Event appeared first on IAMAW.

IAM District 5, along with members from Locals 2525, W33, and W384, recently organized and performed their yearly IAM H.E.L.P.S event at the Great Plains Food Bank (GPFB) in Fargo, N.D. GPFB is a vital organization committed to fighting hunger by collecting, warehousing and distributing surplus food to those in need across North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota.

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to needy residents. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

During the 3.5-hour IAM HELPS event, the dedicated volunteers from District 5 and its affiliated lodges actively contributed to the GPFB’s mission, packing over 370 mobile food boxes, each designed to support a family in need. This effort directly benefited local families, providing them with essential items.

“Service to the community is a cornerstone of the IAM,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “The volunteers from District Lodge 5 should be proud of what they accomplished for their community. Their work will certainly help families dealing with hunger. My thanks go out to all those involved for their work on this exceptional project.”

In addition to packing mobile food boxes, the volunteers bagged a significant amount of potatoes, weighing a total of 5,335 pounds. These potatoes were generously donated by local farmers and were repackaged into smaller bags. The repackaged potatoes will be distributed to local food banks, further extending the reach of the community service initiative.

The decision to collaborate with the GPFB was driven by the collective desire of District 5 and its local lodges to make a meaningful impact in their local communities. By supporting GPFB’s mission, the IAM aimed to contribute to the well-being of those in need by providing essential items for sustenance. The IAM H.E.L.P.S. event highlighted the importance of community involvement, as the Great Plains Food Bank relies on volunteers to successfully fulfill its mission of alleviating hunger in the region.

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Recently, IAM Local 2018 did an H.E.L.P.S. event at Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana located in Indianapolis. Five volunteers worked together to package bulk cereal into smaller portions to distribute to needy families.

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to needy residents. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

 “We chose Gleaners because they supply food to over 300 food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and community partners, which covers 21 counties in Indiana,” said IAM Local 2018 Directing Business Representative Tim Hight. “Since the Local covers the entire area, we felt this gave us an opportunity to help as many people as possible in the communities where our members are located.”

“Across the Midwest Territory, H.E.L.P.S. Committees consisting of members, family and friends from our Locals and Districts are making a difference in the communities where they work and live. Local 2018’s efforts were successful in helping those in need of food assistance.” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli. “My thanks go out to all the volunteers for their compassionate service to their community.”

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IAM District 66 held its annual H.E.L.P.S. volunteering event at the WAFER Food Pantry, the largest food pantry in La Crosse County, Wis., which provides support to approximately 1,500 families monthly.

To make this event successful, around 20 volunteers from Locals 21, 1115, and 2191 came together to offer their support. The volunteers worked on repackaging bulk egg donations into cartons, which were then distributed to those in need. 

Additionally, the volunteers helped restock the shelves as many donations had accumulated, including bulk items that needed to be sorted in the frozen food cooler.

“The volunteers put in a lot of effort and worked tirelessly to ensure everything was done efficiently and effectively,” said IAM District 66Directing Business Representative Jana Kirch. “The H.EL.P.S. event was a great success and gave all the participants a sense of satisfaction and pride in being able to help out in the community.”

“Community service is one of the cornerstones of the IAM’s mission,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “The Midwest Territory’s ‘H.E.L.P.S.’ initiative is dedicated to improving the lives of individuals in our communities, and we firmly believe that every project has a positive impact. I am proud of the District 66 volunteers for their time and hard work that will certainly benefit many families in need.”  

The IAM Midwest Territory launched the ‘IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community’ initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide significant assistance to residents experiencing critical needs. H.E.L.P.S. stands for the five core values of the program: Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing, and Servicing.

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Midwest Territory staff members, led by General Vice President Steve Galloway, recently held their annual IAM H.E.L.P.S Community event at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD).

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to needy residents. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

At the GCFD, volunteers help with Repack sessions and Fresh Trucks. GCFD receives donated food in bulk, and volunteers are needed to “repack” that food into portions distributed at local partner agencies. Volunteer sessions occur at the GCFD warehouse on the city’s southwest side. Fresh Trucks are mobile food pantries that distribute food at locations across Chicago.

“During our volunteer time, we assisted in packaging bags of donated romaine lettuce to provide to families affected by food insecurity within Chicago,” said Galloway. “The GCFD provides for 800 partner sites in Cook County. In total, we assisted in packaging 5892 pounds of romaine lettuce, which helped to provide 8,193 meals. Food insecurity affects over 44 million people, including 13 million children, who experience food insecurity annually. I am proud of the Midwest Territory staff and spouses for the volunteer effort helping families in need.”

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Members and volunteers from IAM District 837 recently gave back to the St. Louis community by volunteering at the Saint Matthew Lutheran Church. The church, built in 1905, needed restoration of its parking lot.

Volunteers cleaned the parking lot, removing all grass and dirt growing up through the paved parking area and adding driveway sealer to the prepared surface. District 837 staff and members participating included Tom Boelling, Chris Albin, DeWitt Darity, Jason Miles, Bob Fritz, Leon Smith, and Midwest Territory Grand Lodge Representative Larry Young who were joined by Alvin Reese, a church parishioner, and the elder of the church, George Lovan, who all worked together over several days to complete the project. 

“As IAM members and leaders, we realize the importance of partnerships in our local communities,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “That partnership made a huge impact over those several days, not only for Saint Matthew, but also for the surrounding neighborhood. Our H.E.L.P.S. projects throughout the Midwest Territory continue to lead the way with our members serving community needs. My thanks go out to all involved in making the outcome successful.”

“I would like to thank volunteer Carline Smith Lang along with the St. Matthew Parishioners, Elder and Reverend,” said District 837 Directing Business Representative Tom Boelling. “They made it possible for the IAM to give back to our friends and neighbors.”

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to residents in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

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Nearly a dozen members and volunteers from IAM District 10 recently gave back to the Milwaukee community by volunteering at the Mother & Daughter Child Nurturing Center for the Next Door Foundation. Their mission is to enrich and enhance the social, emotional, and academic growth of children in partnership with parents and the community.

Volunteers painted five classrooms, giving them a much-needed facelift. IAM Locals 66, 873, 1406, and 2269 participated in the event. District 10 also contributed $150 towards the cost of supplies.

“Lending a helping hand to make a better environment for kids in schools is essential to the learning experience,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steven Galloway. “Our H.E.L.P.S. projects, throughout the Midwest Territory, continue to lead the way with our members serving community needs. My thanks go out to all involved in making the outcome a success.”

The Next Door Foundation provides early childhood education in Milwaukee, helping children and families build a brighter future filled with opportunity and success.

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to residents in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

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Every year, IAM District 9 in Missouri carries out a community service project in line with the Midwest Territory’s “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative.

This year, District 9 H.E.L.P.S. Coordinator Darren Bierman led a project in which locals collected books to supply “sharing libraries” at four public locations in the town of Pacific, Mo.

“We chose Pacific because its literacy rate was one of the lowest in the state,” said Bierman. “There’s also quite a few industrial shops in the area that are not represented by a union, and we want to get the IAM name out there.”

“Sharing libraries” are simply designated spots for people to take, leave and return books. 

About 18 volunteers from District 9 locals helped to install the libraries at each of the four locations, and Pacific’s mayor met them at each location. The District 9 H.E.L.P.S. committee and volunteers built and painted the library boxes, then stocked them full of donated books.

Locals in District 9 collected books from members to fill the libraries, and there were so many leftover that they now have a supply to restock the libraries if all the books are taken. 

“It was amazing how many books were donated,” said Bierman. “We never counted, but I’d say it had to have been close to 1,000 books.”

The committee stamped each donated book with a message: “Donated by Machinists Union H.E.L.P.S. Community Service, District 9, St. Louis, MO”

“The amount of books donated to the committee was overwhelming,” said Bierman. “A big thank you to all who were involved.”

“The Midwest Territory is incredibly proud of the H.E.L.P.S. program and how our districts and locals support worthy and needed projects,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steve Galloway. “It encourages members to get creative and get out in their communities. I want to personally thank District 9 members and leadership for implementing a wonderful idea to create community, connection, and interest in reading.”

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On Oct. 7, more than 30 members and volunteers from Chicagoland Mechanics Union Local 701 recently gave back to the community by volunteering at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), a worldwide charity organization in Aurora, Ill. This effort brought together Local 701 Business Representatives, staff, members, and families, as part of the Local 701 annual IAM HELPS Program.

Through volunteering at FMSC, members get the chance to impact hundreds of kids in a one-of-a-kind experience. Members hand-packed rice, soy, dry vegetables, and a nutritionally complete blend of vitamins and minerals into bags which are then sealed, boxed, and shipped to partners around the world.

“Local 701 members helped package 171 boxes, each containing 36 bags of nutritional food, which will provide over 101 children a daily meal for a year, at over 36,000 total meals packaged,” said IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Steven Galloway. “My thanks to Local 701 and all the members who volunteered their time to make this event possible and as successful as it was.”

“The impact that Feed My Starving Children has on families around the world is life-changing for the ones who receive these donations,” said IAM Local 701 Directing Business Representative Mark Grasseschi. “No person should be left hungry, and this organization does an inspirational job to combat this issue. We’re proud to help support their efforts.”

The IAM Midwest Territory began the “IAM H.E.L.P.S. in the Community” initiative in the spring of 2017 to provide essential assistance to residents in need. H.E.L.P.S. stands for Honoring, Engaging, Lifting, Providing and Servicing.

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