USW Cares: USW Women of Steel and Snow Angles – Day of Giving

Story Submitted by USW 1123 Co-Chair Women of Steel Katrina Fitzgerald

During the week before and including the week of Christmas, United Steelworkers Women of Steel Locals 1123 and 9187 joined with Snow Angels for a day of giving.  Snow angels, is a relatively new group to the Canton, Ohio area. It is dedicated to helping those in the community that need it the most. 

photo1Tonya Kimbrough, who has dedicated her life to helping others, coordinates Snow Angles.  She is an amazing, warm and kind-hearted person who welcomes all to unite with her that share the same interest and compassion of giving to others.

How Local 1123 WOS met Tonya is a small story in itself.  In a previous USW article, they mentioned the purpose of volunteering at the Salvation Army was our way of giving thanks to an entity that was instrumental in the developmental years of a sister’s life.  One of the beautiful volunteers we met at the Salvation Army was Tonya.  We formed an instant connection with her for she shares a similar compassion for others as we do.  She mentioned to a sister that; while you see there are many in attendance here, there are many more that live on streets that are in need but shy away from attending for various reasons.   She expressed a desire and a plan to try to reach those that otherwise slip through the cracks un-helped.

photo2Tonya’s plan was to collect items through donations and then on Christmas Eve travel around the streets of downtown Canton, Oh handing these items out to those in need.  Women of Steel thought this was a beautiful act of kindness and we asked if we could join in helping.  Being the wonderfully kind person that Tonya is she welcomed our involvement.  In less than two weeks, our Woman of Steel Committee and friends of family of pulled from our resources, and those of others, to gather what donations we could and add that to the items Tonya had already collected.

The amount of kindness and giving we witnessed through uniting together was far greater than any of us could have imagined.  We received items such as; Duffle bags, purses, blankets, hoodies, Sweaters, coats, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, hand sanitizers, tissues, lip balm, (baby)wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouth wash, packaged snacks, sandwiches, Christmas cards and candy canes.  Also, for those that wished to receive it, prayer blessings were given. Another volunteer, Tristan, gave the gift of love by offering free hugs.  This day of giving back, will remain in our hearts, for these acts of kindness and giving touched many lives in the community including our own. 

Those who helped; Tonya Kimbrough, Terry Allen, Amy Williams, Katrina Fitzgerald, Trish Hostetler, Carrie Holland, Adam Holland, Lisa Talbott, Carol Maney, Phyllis Fox, Karen Bezon, Dave Bezon, Cathy Mottice, Penny shearer, Elsie Fox, Theresa Al-Ali, Maggie Polsinelli, Alana Gustafson, Daphne Kline, Tristan Zurcher, Brandon Best, Katie Wagner, Ineze Alvatez, Maggie Polsinelli, Jennifer Jones, Shelmira Clanton, Wanda Kirnsey, Jones Family, Jeffries Family, Rod Jackson, Chauntelle Andrews, Sonya Freeman, Normie Stewart, Sandy Dyer, Brian Ickes, Rev. Max Millender, Lance Lewis, Gary Hosking, Marilea Remark, Fisher Ford, Marilyn Filicky-Fenstemaker, Lisa Green Rogers, Lisa Nettle Neidert, Tammy Gandee-Colaner, Nancy Hilliard Tyrrell, Chris Gajovski Conkle, Cathy Corral, Josie Miranada Lynn. 

Thank you AdMark Solutions & Consulting, for your donations and photography services.

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This project is just one of so many USW's amazing members do every day to give back to our communities. If you or your local are doing good things in your community, we want to hear about them. Click Here to share video and photos with us and don’t forget to use the #USWCares hashtag when you post your stories on social media. If you or your local is doing this kind of work, please submit a nomination for a Jefferson Awards at usw.org/uswcares. Don't forget to shout out @Steelworkers!

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