AFSCME Local 2163 raises $1,300 for Variety’s “My Bike” program
AFSCME Council 13, its district councils and local unions have been a major part of Variety’s “My Bike” program, which provides adaptive bikes to disabled children in need in Pennsylvania, as well as strollers and communication devices through their “My Stroller” and “My Voice” programs.
AFSCME Local 2163 (York County Trades & Labor) held a bowling fundraiser for the “My Bike” program, raising $1,300 in one night. The local saw it as a great way to come together and use their resources to help those in need, and presented a check to Variety at a bike presentation at the Capital Area Intermediate Unit on Wednesday.
Adam Slagel presents a check for $1,300 to Variety: The Children’s Charity on behalf of AFSCME Local 2163 (York County Trades & Labor).
From left: AFSCME District Council 83 Director Mickey Sgro, PA AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder, AFSCME District Council 89 Director Steve Mullen, AFSCME Local 2163 member Adam Slagel and Variety CEO Charlie LaVallee.
“I actually have a mentally handicapped nephew that’s seven years old, and my sister pretty much became a school teacher because of my learning disability, so I figured ‘What way can I give back? With all the resources I have, what can I do to give back?’ And I thought what better way than through the Variety program that Mickey (Sgro) introduced me to,” said Adam Slagel, member of Local 2163.
“In my eyes, this is just one way that we can give back to the community and the working class that might not be able to afford stuff.”
AFSCME and organized labor have proudly been longtime supporters of Variety, playing a key role in the expansion of the program throughout Pennsylvania. AFSCME has raised more than $30,000 for Variety through its trust fund, every penny of which will benefit a child in need.
PA AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder leads the parade of new bike and stroller recipients.
“The trust fund that AFSCME has done to fund bikes and strollers and communication devices, the effort that AFSCME has done to spread the word and get the word out in the community and create partnerships, I think it’s inspiring. It’s a terrific story that should be told, so others can follow it. AFSCME has kind of set the pace for everybody else to follow,” CEO of Variety Charlie LaVallee said.
Council 13 looks forward to continued partnership with Variety as they expand throughout the state. If you or someone you know has a child that may be eligible for any of Variety’s programs, check out www.varietypittsburgh.org for more information on how to apply.