An ancient proverb states, “To whom much is given, much is required.” This is especially true of the Alabama Site, because compared to others in our area we are truly blessed. Each holiday season the Alabama Site digs deep to help those in the community, and 2004 was no exception.

A number of UAW Local 2195 Committees sponsored projects to help others, while some groups in the plant made sacrifices as well. Either way, a total group effort made the difference for literally hundreds of local families last Christmas.

The Local 2195 Community Service Committee has historically worked to support efforts at the Salvation Army in Decatur. “Between the Karaoke, Pickin for Presents and raffles we have raised over $4000 for Christmas charities,” states Community Service Committee Chair Shirley Parker. “This money went toward providing toys for the Salvation Army Toy Room that is used to supplement the Angel Trees. The entire committee would like to thank all the merchants that donated auction items, John Stewart, the Lanny Rose Band and Ron Seymore.”

Each year UAW Local 2195 and Delphi work to provide assistance to families in need. The Local 2195 Women’s Committee usually sponsors Angel Trees in the plants to help needy children through the Salvation Army. With the Recreation Committee and Community Service Committee raising funds for the Salvation Army last year the Women’s Committee decided to help FACES. FACES (Families and Children Experiencing Separation) was founded in 1951, to help meet the needs of foster children. The State only provides $11 a day to cover the needs of foster children. Many foster parents simply can’t afford many of the perks in life such as sports fees and things like this. FACES supplements foster families to help provide extra things for foster children. “Sammy Caudle in Dept. 62 is a foster parent and was telling me about the FACES Organization, so we decided to help them this year,” states Women’s Committee Chair Hazel Boyett. “We were able to provide Christmas presents to all the children on our list. We thank the people of the Alabama Site for helping with this effort.”

The Veteran’s Committee sold chances for a “gun-less” turkey shoot with proceeds going toward local veteran’s causes. The group raised $1330 in their efforts for veterans. “We would like to thank everyone who made donations to the Veteran’s Committee,” states Committee Chair Garl “Hollywood” Hollingsworth. “I know the veterans and their families will appreciate the assistance.” At the January Union Meeting Alabama State Disabled American Veterans Second Vice-Commander Mark Moore was on hand to accept a check for $500 from the Veterans Committee. “This money will be used to support the Floyd “Tut” Fann State Veterans Home in Huntsville,” Commander Moore stated. “Labor has always supported veteran’s causes and we appreciate it.”

The Local 2195 Recreation Committee sold chances on a $1000 gift card. The winner of the drawing was Bobby Vincent of Dept. 51 Plant 23. “We raised $4400 that used to support 44 families for Christmas, which represented 70 children,” states Recreation Committee Chair Rochelle Mitchell. “We thank everyone for supporting this effort.” “We also would like to thank Food World Store No. 157 for helping make the money go further. Fred Banks, Donna Hayes, Tony Hayes, Dwight Mooneyhan and Allen Boyd at Food World were a great help,” adds Freda Abernathy of the Recreation Committee. “Food World and K-Mart both sold us items at a discount to help the families further. K-Mart store 9648 in Athens helped and we would like to thank Curtis Redden, Thomas Stedman, Brandon Horn, Dianne Berzett and Linda Sawyer.”

So, it is more blessed to give than receive and many groups across the site know this. Thanks to those who organized and those who gave.