LEND A HELPING HAND IN GASTON COUNTY, NC

 

UAW Local 5286 members are proud to be an integral part of the community where they live in Gaston County, North Carolina. So much so that they have been recognized by several towns in the county for their dedication. Local 5286’s Standing Committees have been working on being involved in the community for years on different projects throughout Gaston County; with road side clean-ups and pickup, cleaning up around downtown storefronts, and working with the Dallas, North Carolina Crisis Assistance Ministry Center. The local’s efforts help the needy and provide support for community members that have encountered difficult times. They have also provided support to North Gaston High School and their garden project to help feed the hungry, in and around the town of Dallas.

The committees also have been participating in several ongoing projects in nearby Bessemer City. They have been working with the Recreation Center in Bessemer City cleaning up the local playgrounds and downtown Bessemer City. In addition, they participated with Bessemer City High School students on their school’s “Feed the Hungry Project”. They also stepped up to help the Bessemer City Crisis Center move into their new center by supplying paint and the labor to completely repaint and organize the center.

The committee members have also worked closely with the Gastonia Crisis Assistance Organization by volunteering their time sorting clothes that have been donated and working with the citizens of Gastonia, that need a helping hand.

The Gaston County Meals on Wheels Organization spoke with the local membership about needing volunteers to help deliver food to those who are unable to drive or to cook their food. Local 5286’s committee members stepped up again by going through the process to become qualified to make Gaston County Meals on Wheels’ deliveries to people in need.

The committees have shown their commitment to the community by pressure washing walkways, planting shrubs, and cleaning playgrounds at McAdenville Elementary School, Gastonia Ryan Elementary School, and Forest Heights Elementary. They also worked with the students and staff at Hunter Huss High School to help raise money for their new electronic sign.

Special Thanks to Tim Miller, Chairperson of the Community Services Committee, David Thompson, Chairperson of the Civil and Human Rights Committee, and Sandy Spencer, Chairperson of the Women’s Committee and the members who volunteered their hard work for the committees. You truly make the Union’s presence known in and around Gastonia, North Carolina. You make all UAW Members proud of our Union and our community!

UAW Region 8 Review • Ray Curry, director • Ron Hendrix, assistant director • Regional office: 151 Maddox-Simpson Parkway, Lebanon, TN 37090 • Phone (615) 443-7654 • Fax (615) 443-7697 • Darren Petty, editor • Region 8 website: www.uawregion8.net