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USW District 9 Local 309 Women of Steel hosted a Christmas Party for children living at and below poverty level, many of which are in the Relative Care Giver Program - a program for aunts, uncles, grandparents and other relatives raising children which they did not give birth to.   Jennifer Myers chairs Local 309’s Women’s Committee and Yvonne Pickens, Brenda LeQuire and Midge McKelvey are Women’s Committee Activists. 

Local 309 was introduced to the RCG Program through Brenda LeQuire, member and caregiver that is involved with several groups that advocate for children and grandparent rights. LeQuire defends the rights of children to remain with caregivers other than their parents in situations where the best interest of the child indicates that they should do so. LeQuire is actively involved with several organizations promoting the rights of children. She is on the board of directors for Voices for Children, is Tennessee chapter leader for the National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights, and is on the advisory board for the Relative Caregiver Program.

The RCG Program is for anyone caring for family members whether it is a child or elderly person, regardless of income level.  These caregivers do not receive state assistance like that of foster homes and in many cases children are being raised with income solely from Social Security Checks.  “These children have been through more heartache in their lives already then most of us will ever have in a lifetime,” remarked Jennifer Myers.  “They have been pulled from their parents because of neglect; drug and alcohol abuse;

mental physical, and sexual abuse; imprisonment, or death of a parent.  The thing that amazes me is the children’s spirits have not been broken – they still love and trust so easily.”

Local 309’s effort focused on families at or below poverty level, many of whom would have had no Christmas if it wasn’t for the total membership’s support of this project.  $6,000 out of a total of $8,000 was donated by local union members and doctors, dentists, lawyers and a local bank made up the other $2,000.  Because of discounts given from area retailers, close to $13,000 worth of gifts were purchased for 84 children.  Two church groups provided gift wrap, music and food and the Blount County Fire Department brought coats for those in need of them.

“I have never seen so many smiling faces in one place – the children were so thankful and grateful for everything.  With church groups singing, the night started off with a hot meal for the children and caregivers, and anyone needing a coat got to pick one out.  Then everyone moved to the auditorium for the distribution of gifts.  We also had a table set up with Lead Test Kits and information on lead and how to contact elected officials,” said Myers.

“It still amazes me that we pulled this off.  Somehow everything fell into place – what a great group I have to work with,” remarked Jennifer. 

Submitted by Jennifer Myers