Every month we hear stories of 751 members helping others in their
shop and community. The Union's Volunteer Recognition Program
(VRP) has gained a widespread reputation for its far-reaching
projects, but is probably best known for constructing wheelchair
ramps for both members and area citizens.
In recent weeks, two ramp projects were completed in a matter
of days from the initial phone call to allow two retired members
to return to their homes after extended stays in nursing homes
and hospitals. The first project was put together by the shop
- with generous financial support from other salaried and management
employees who remembered Rene. The second was a VRP event.
Helping
One of Their Own
When employees in the model shop at Plant II learned Renee Davis,
a retiree from their shop, needed a wheelchair ramp to return
to his home, they sprang into action. This tight-knit group, in
only a few days, collected enough money to purchase the lumber,
gathered a volunteer construction crew, picked-up and hauled the
materials and had the ramp built on a snowy Saturday.
Union Steward Tom Sweeney, who helped orchestrate the project,
noted, "The configuration of the house and lot made the project
go beyond the usual scope of our VRP ramp projects that the King
county labor agency plans. By following the tried and true pattern
we've used on other VRP ramps, we were able to move quickly. Although
I knew I could count on reliable 751 VRP regulars to help out,
given the urgent the urgent time frame would be asking a lot.
Besides, I couldn't restrain my coworkers from volunteering if
I tried. Their talents and resourcefulness matched their enthusiasm."
"Renee Davis was a very respected co-worker. When we heard
about his situation, it
was awesome how everyone participated. I have never seen such
solidarity. The outpouring of generosity shown was unprecedented
in the recollection of donations I've witnessed in nearly 30 years
at Boeing. We pulled together and made sure everything was complete
in a very quick timeframe. Hourly, salaried and management employees
on all shifts contributed. Many continued
to purchase unexpected supplies as the job progressed - staying
focused on helping Renee."
The project was made even more challenging because of the layout
of the split-level
house. The ramp had to be constructed from the back sundeck. A
chainlink fence on the side of the house complicated the project.
However, volunteers demonstrated their ingenuity and altered the
blueprints to finish the project with patio blocks and sand -
using red bricks to make a warning
track at the end of the path.
Nearly everyone in the shop made a monetary contribution and others
gave much more - their time and hard work. The all IAM crew working
on the project that snowy Saturday morning in January included:
Sandra Desimone (second shift steward), Mike Nangle, John Vanderven,
Jim Jowel, Jerry Caban, Mark Flatt, Tim Davidson, Bruce Kimball,
Steve Pool, Danny Minalia, Frank Tate, Ed Neary Jim Zellerhoff,
David Tieman, Christopher Davidson, Jerry Hanson and Tom Sweeney.
Yet the generosity extended beyond just his co-workers. Lowes
Hardware and
Stoneway Gravel Supply both provided discounts when they learned
of the
nature of the project.
Although, Renee tragically took a turn for the worse and never
got to return home to use the ramp and walk-way, he was encouraged
by photos of the finished product that his co-workers built
for him and his family. He passed away just days before he was
scheduled to return home.
The Long
Haul
Dick Collins is another retiree that suddenly required a ramp.
Dick has lived in Elma, Washington for many years and had made
the long commute each day when he worked at the Renton Plant.
Unfortunately, after his health deteriorated, he was hospitalized.
As he made progress, his wife realized they would need a wheelchair
ramp in order for him to be released to home
care.
She immediately thought of the Union and the stories she had read
in the Aero Mechanic. The Union didn't let her down. While the
project required a very quick turnaround (the ramp needed to be
built within two weeks of the call), the Union members came through.
Bruce Bob Anderson, Garth Luark, Vennie Murphy, and Ed and Nick
Lutgen met at the Seattle Union Hall on Saturday, February 5 and
made the nearly two-hour drive to build the ramp. The experienced
volunteers were able to complete the entire project in just a
few hours.
"I am so grateful that the Union was there when we needed
them. If volunteers had not built the ramp, my husband would not
have been able to return home. In addition, when the Union learned
my husband was in the hospital, a representative made a personal
visit, which meant so much to
him. That personal service is invaluable and means so much."