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| About Unions for Kids | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Lee Duncan, President - (IBEW 48) This is a brief history of who we are, what we do and our goals. Lee Duncan, a Union business representative bought a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle in February, 2003. He asked a co-worker and motorcycle enthusiast (Luigi Serio) “Okay, now what are we going to do for the kids?” Luigi discussed the idea of a “poker run” with some friends at a meeting. There were some other trade union folks there, they grabbed on to the idea of a fundraiser and we met. Even though we are “Unions for Kids”, we do not limit this event to only Union folks; it is open to anyone who wants to come have a day of fun. Our name came from the idea that local area trade, service and public sector Unions provide the bulk of support through cash donations. Many folks may not be aware that Unions are tax-exempt organizations and as such, their donations are not really "deductible", they just feel it is the right thing to do. Please check out the Union Sponsors page for the list of contributing Local Unions. Our committee is comprised of the three officers above and the following committee members: Luigi Serio (IBEW 48 retired), Mike Roche’ (Ironworkers 29 retired), Kathy Streifel (IBEW 48) and daughter Amy, Adam Stocklein (Ironworkers 29), Andy Wagner (Carpenters 247), Nancy Reudin (Medical field), June McCullough (Medical field), Nichole Stevenson (Medical field), Dave Tully (Teamsters Joint Council 37), Sue Hunziker (Ironworkers 29), Dawne Erickson (Loan Officer), Shannon Walker (OPEIU 277-American Income Life), Myron Colvin (IBEW 125), Bruce Dennis (Carpenters 247), and Ric Olander (Sheet Metal 16). A few of the folks are not Union members; but they have great hearts and want to help. All are welcome. The concept of a motorcycle “poker run” is similar to a charity golf tournament; you get a group of folks together that share a common interest, in our case, the enjoyment of riding a motorcycle, sharing stories and laughs at the checkpoints, admiring the motorcycles of other riders, and having fun while raising money for a good cause. A poker run consists of riders going from checkpoint to checkpoint and drawing a card at each of five places. The high and low hands (at our event) both win a cash prize. Our funding comes from different sources; we send letters to various trade Unions in the Portland Metro area asking for cash donations and/or ($1.00 per ticket) raffle items such as shirts, hats and the like. Participants pay a registration fee, buy raffle tickets for vendor appreciation drawing (gifts and/or certificates from various retail businesses) and a “50/50” drawing (half the pot to the charity, the other half to the winner), sales of t-shirts, ride (lapel) pins, food and soft drink sales, and donations for “draw cards”. Starting in 2005, we will also raffle off a new motorcycle each year to help increase the amount we are able to donate. We decided the Doernbecher Hospital would be the recipient of our efforts, they are recognized as a leader in children’s health care. Using the newest technologies and a staff that is trained to the highest degree in the areas of health care and compassion for patients and their families, Doernbecher is a shining star in the health care industry, the City of Portland, Oregon and the nation. After contacting the Doernbecher Foundation and doing their paperwork, getting the artwork approved and working in concert with them we held our first event in June 2003. Please check our "Progress" page to track how we do each year. We were allowed to use the Doernbecher Foundation’s tax ID number for tax purposes the first two years; the motorcycle raffle brought the added responsibility of incorporating as a 503 (c) 3 under the IRS code. Our number is 20-1784553. We have never paid (our By-laws and Articles of Incorporation prohibit it) anyone on the committee; the only monies spent were for shirts, pins, food and other goods that we weren’t able to get donated. As our organization grows, we are getting more of those essentials donated (i.e., the Baker’s Union is going to donate all the buns for the hot dogs and burgers); that is one less expense and more money for the kids! Each year we hand out a couple thousand flyers (at bike shops, retail businesses, etc.), each flyer has a list of all contributors (for the previous year) on the reverse. Our vendors also receive a Certificate of Appreciation, and a letter for tax-purposes. The contributing Unions are not listed on the flyers; they are recognized through the “Labor Press” (a Union newspaper), the Daily Journal of Commerce, and also through letters and Certificates of Appreciation. We hope to have fun each year, so far everyone seems to have a great time at our event. Some of the riders we meet on the road are happy to get a flyer from us, they tell us they are looking forward to the day’s events. Please check our site for photos, date of next event, listing of contributing Local Unions, listing of the great folks that donate raffle and door prizes, and of course, the winners of our chili cook-off and the Union built Harley-Davidson motorcycle!
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