Thank-You to Steelworkers at Convention for Activating National Service Project

United Steelworkers received a heartfelt thank-you letter from University Medical Center of Southern Nevada’s Volunteer Program and Community Relations Supervisor, Erica Nansen, who recently delivered art-kits put together by Next Generation delegates at Convention to Children’s Hospital of Nevada UMC.

As a Jefferson Awards Champion partner, United Steelworkers activated the Jefferson Awards Foundation’s year-long National LEAD 360 project called “Emma’s Art Cart” during the Next Gen meeting at Convention. Some 300 kits packed by Next Geners have been put to good use at the hospital, Nansen wrote.

“Some of our littlest patients are hospitalized for weeks or even months. With that can come boredom, loneliness and even depression. Sometimes all that is needed to get through the day is a little something that lets them know that someone is thinking about them,” Nansen said. “This gives them the strength and motivation to keep pushing on.”

Nansen said the USW-donated art kits “gave our staff the opportunity to put a smile on almost 300 of our littlest patients’ faces. Several times we not only got smiles but looks of shock in the realization that they get to keep these items for themselves. They were pleasantly surprised and couldn’t wait to open up the bag and get started on the fun activities.”

You can read all of Nansen’s letter by clicking here.

LEAD 360 is a Jefferson Awards youth service project that’s supported by partners and others who replicate it in their own capacity - resulting in maximum impact for really great causes.

This year, the Jefferson Awards chose to support Emma Stumpf, a 9-year-old cancer survivor, in her campaign to bring art supplies to hospitalized children nationwide.

After hearing about the partnership and the project, members at the Next Gen meeting jumped into action to pack 300 bags with sketchbooks, stickers, coloring books, watercolor kits, clay, crayons, colored pencils, and handwritten notes of love and encouragement.

President Leo W. Gerard and Vice President Fred Redmond dropped by the meeting to thank members for the work they do in their workplaces and communities;  both stressed the importance of mentorship and community service in the Union.

Many members who participated in the project left Convention inspired to initiate service projects in their own locals. Find out more about Next Generation by clicking here and more about the USW Cares Jefferson Awards here.

View the Next Generation at Convention photo album below:

2017 Convention - NextGen

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