Members and their families, from the Ottawa area, turned out in full force for Local 1000A’s first Community Action Network (CAN) BBQ picnic on Saturday, June 12, 2010 at Ottawa’s Vincent Massey Park. Despite the rain, the event brought together people of all ages and cultures for a family day of food, fun and activities.
“Our members work hard to provide for their families and oftentimes, it means they are not able to spend as much time as they like with their loved ones,” said Tony Soares, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 1000A and chair of the network. “This event is about giving back to our members by providing them with a fun-filled day where they can simply relax and be with those they love.”
In addition to an all-you-can-eat BBQ, the picnic featured a variety of events for children and adults. These included relay races, soccer, sumo-suit wrestling, face-painting and a jumping castle.
“We cannot thank the volunteers enough for their tireless work and the members for participating and making this event a great success,” Soares said.
One of the highlights of the event was an “Iron Chef” contest where participants brought their own specialty ethnic dishes. After evaluation by a panel of three judges, three participants took home Loblaws gift cards.
Maria Shouman, a front-end clerk at the Real Canadian Superstore in Kanata, Ontario, said the event was a rare chance for workers to relax and feel no pressure. “At work, it’s rushed all the time, there is no time to communicate with other staff or other people,” said Shouman. “We need a chance to have a fun time once in a while.”
Francine Belisle, a cashier at Loblaws in Carlingwood, brought her entire family to the picnic, including her two-year-old daughter, Emily, and her four-year-old son, Jeremy. “I am definitely coming next year,” said Belisle. “It is a nice event for the kids and it gives you a chance to see your friends outside of work.”
Musse Muslimo, who is part of the night crew at Loblaws in Vanier, brought her four kids to the picnic. “It’s my first time attending an event like this,” said Muslimo. “I wanted to know more about unions and what they do.”
Jackie Graticola, a pharmacy technician at Loblaws in South Keys, brought her mother, who was visiting from Venezuela, to the picnic. She said the event was a chance to meet other members. “You create ties that weren’t there before,” said Graticola.
CAN BBQ picnics will also be held in London on July 10, in Thunder Bay on July 17 and in Toronto on August 7. The $5 entry fee per family will be donated to the Sickle Cell Association, an organization that works to find a cure for sickle cell disease.
