(Charleston, WV) - During the past few weeks, AFT-WV locals across the state have participated in the Hoodies for Hope campaign. Hoodies for Hope is an AFT-WV effort to collect new hoodies to send to union brothers and sisters affected by Hurricane Sandy. In addition to collection efforts by the state AFT office, many county AFT-WV chapters have been collecting hoodies to send to their northern colleagues- particularly those in New Jersey- where the national AFT has identified numerous families in need.
On December 14th at the AFT-WV headquarters, AFT-WV leaders and staff (photo above) loaded almost a thousand hoodies collected and sent them on their way to New Jersey. Cash donations were used to purchase infant's and children’s hoodies.
“AFT-WV wanted to do something to help out our union family and members of their communities and also involve our members on the local level. The tremendous outpouring of support from teachers and school service personnel across WV was incredible,” remarked AFT-WV president-elect Christine Campbell, who headed up the Hoodies for Hope project.
“Donna Chierra, president of AFT- New Jersey, spoke at a meeting that I was attending in DC this week and expressed her heartfelt thanks to the leaders and members of AFT-WV for the Hoodies campaign. She was so touched that other AFT members -from so far away -wanted to help her members and their families,” continued Campbell.
Leading the pack in donations was AFT-Wood County, netting over 500 hoodies collected and garnering lots of local media on their efforts. AFT- Fayette received lots of media attention as well, and had great success involving community groups in the hoodie drive. AFT-Morgan, a relatively new AFT local and very small county, collected an impressive 76 hoodies!
"Tens of thousands of AFT members were personally and professionally affected by Superstorm Sandy," said Greg Merritt, president of the Wood County AFT and pictured above with many of his local activists. "In challenging times like these, the solidarity and support of the labor movement shines through."
AFT and WVSSPA members in the following counties or institutions participated in the campaign: Cabell, Wood, Berkeley, Jefferson, Hampshire, Fairmont State University, Marion, Kanawha, Harrison, Pocahontas, Lincoln, Nicholas, Putnam, Fayette, McDowell, Morgan, Ritchie and Mineral.
Check out related news articles about Hoodies For Hope in Wood and Fayette counties!
AFT-WV would like to thank everyone who participated in this project!