Area residents turned up from an East end Toronto community to support Local 1000A’s Women’s Issues Network (WIN) fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.
Held on August 8, 2015, the yard sale fundraiser was organized by members of the local union’s WIN (Region 3).
Mary-Joe Eaton, Chair of WIN (Region 3), was the lead organizer for the Toronto event.
“We had people coming in and out of the yard sale all day—It was a great bonding experience with our community and all proceeds go towards a good cause,” said Eaton.
The Toronto event was inspired by another yard sale fundraiser for Leukemia, organized by WIN North (Region 6) Chair Cathy Watson this summer. That event raised upwards of $700, bringing the total raised from yard sales to over $1,900.
“Both these regions did a truly incredible job, dedicating an entire day and going above and beyond for such a worthy cause,” said Diana O’Brien, Coordinator of WIN at the local union.“The response from the community was amazing,” said Diane Wilmot, Co-Chair of WIN (Region 3). “A lot of people that came shared personal experiences with leukemia and lymphoma.”
“It was really touching to see how many people opened up their hearts for something like this,” said Wilmot, who lost her grandmother to leukemia.
Local 1000A Executive Vice-President Dan Gilbert was on hand to support the activists.
“The incredible generosity, compassion and leadership of these activists exemplify what the UFCW spirit is all about,” said Gilbert.
Thank you Mary Joe Eaton, Cathy Watson, Diane Wilmot, Maria Bocangel, and Diana O’Brien for a job well-done!
