IUOE Local 18 donates big money to help build new Fisher House for families of veterans

Ohio union pledges to donate $100,000 over five years Veterans, union executives and members, many who have served in various wars dating back to WWII, take part in check presentation ceremony
(PR NewsChannel) / March 31, 2015 / CLEVELAND, Ohio 
From Left to Right: Luis Rivera (Afghanistan), William Morrison (WWII; D-Day), Brian Brand (Vietnam), David Hurd and Ralph Beatty present a $20,000 check to the Cleaveland Fisher House on behalf of IUOE Local 18.

From Left to Right: Luis Rivera (Afghanistan), William Morrison (WWII; D-Day), Brian Brand (Vietnam), David Hurd and Ralph Beatty present a $20,000 check to the Cleveland Fisher House on behalf of IUOE Local 18.

With World War II and Vietnam War veterans, as well as soldiers who served in the war in Afghanistan on hand, the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 presented a $20,000 check, the first of many, to help fund the construction of a brand new Fisher House in Cleveland.

The Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of homes where military and veteran families can stay at no cost, while a loved one is receiving treatment at major military and VA medical centers. The homes are normally located within walking distance of the treatment facility.

Appearing on stage at the Piston Power show at the International Exposition Center earlier this month, Pat Sink, IUOE Local 18’s business manager, along with five war veterans ranging from World War II to the recent struggles in Afghanistan, presented the check to Tom Sweeney, president of the Greater Cleveland Fisher House.

“We’re all about families and it means the world to us that the union will commit to a donation of this size,” said Sweeney. “This is going to get us even closer to our goal and help a lot of military families in Ohio.”

IUOE Local 18 intends to donate $20,000 per year over the next five years, totaling $100,000 to the Cleveland Fisher House Project.

“I’m honored to represent a statewide union of veterans,” said Sink. “If everyone in this room thought about how many veterans have affected them and their lives, it’s amazing to realize what we have in this state.”

Many IUOE Local 18 members are veterans themselves.

Commonly referred to as “Ronald McDonald houses for military families,” there are 64 Fisher Houses located within the United States and Germany.

The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 represents members in Ohio and Northern Kentucky, providing operators of heavy machinery with a Health and Welfare Plan, a pension program and quality training to meet the technological advances of the 21st century.

Many of Ohio’s veterans found their way to the union after returning from oversees.

“I came back from my tour and became a truck driver, but realized I couldn’t provide for my family on $55 a month,” said Ralph Beatty, a 49-year union member who served in the Army during the time of the Cuban missile crisis and the onset of the struggles in Vietnam. “I decided to join the union and it’s been the best decision I’ve ever made. They provided for me and my family then, and they provide for me even after 14 years of retirement.”

The donation amount was one of the largest single contributions to the Cleveland Fisher House, more than tripling the donation made by Cleveland’s three multi-billion dollar major sports teams combined.

For more information on Fisher House, please visit: https://www.fisherhouse.org/

For more information on IUOE Local 18, please visit: http://www.iuoelocal18.org/

About IUOE Local 18: The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) was formed in 1896 and currently has 400,000 members in 138 locals in the United States and Canada. Covering Ohio and Northern Kentucky, Local 18 provides its members with a Health and Welfare Plan, a pension program and quality training to meet the technological advances of the 21st century. Local 18′s mission is to maintain and improve all levels of service to its membership, improving quality of life for members and their families.

About Fisher House: Fisher House Foundation is best known for a network of comfort homes where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment. These homes are located at major military and VA medical centers nationwide, and in Europe, close to the medical center or hospital it serves. Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $282 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Direct link:  https://prnewschannel.com/2015/03/31/iuoe-local-18-donates-big-money-to-help-build-new-fisher-house-for-families-of-veterans/

SOURCE:  The International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18


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