SEIU Local 199 Assists 31 Members Affected by the
SEIU Local 199 has helped 31 of its members weather the floods of 2008 with donations from our members and with donations from other SEIU members around the country. Although it will take a lot more than what the local and brothers and sisters across the country could do to rebuild the lives of these people, many were really moved by the assistance of their union brothers and sisters.
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SEIU Local President
Cathy Glasson gives a
check to Cedar Rapids
Custodian Willie Jenkins,
whose house was
severely damaged by
flooding earlier
this summer. |
Cedar Rapids Custodian Willie Jenkins lost appliances, car, and had his basement inundated with water. Yet, he considers himself one of the lucky ones. “Overall, we were prety blessed, but it’s been a pretty rough summer” he said.
When he received the check from Local 199 President Cathy Glasson, he didn’t even look at it until he got out to the parking lot. When he saw the amount of the donation, he was very surprised. “Truthfully, I wasn’t really expecting anything from my union. I’m no crybaby, but when I saw the generosity, tears welled up in my eyes. All I can say is thanks, t
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Larry Pahl, husband of
member Faith Pahl, points
to the water line on his
house in Cedar Rapids.
The Pahls are currently
living in a FEMA trailer. |
hanks, thanks.”
As we know all to well, the floods wreaked havoc with people’s lives. Earlier this summer SEIU member Tammy Clark reported that she was “staying with my mother in her one-bedroom apartment with my three kids, my husband, and two cats. The hardest part is trying to explain to the kids why they can’t sleep in their own beds,” said Tammy, a Headstart member.
Other members affected and helped by Local 199 include: Diane Busch, Tina Butz, Gary and Renee Comstock, Carrie Connel, Judy Crawford, Julie Davis, Diane Franklin, Keith Gaster, Deanna Jencks, Willie Jenkins, Mark Jensen, Danielle Kunde, Devin Mehaffey, Terri Mengler, Kimberly Middlekauff, Ann Nevin, Faith Pahl, Cheryl Parnell, David Pitcher, Melissa and Tom Roth, Tina Rusbult, Diana Russell, Dee Wilson, Dorothy Dee, and Rob Kleppe.
Click for more information about flood assistance/disater relief