December 2024

Happy Holidays!

Now that the November elections have been completed, take a deep breath and let yourself enjoy and focus on the holiday season, your families, friends and neighbors.

The holiday season is the perfect time to embrace the power of giving and volunteering. From boosting happiness to reducing stress, the mental health benefits of helping others are immense. By finding meaningful ways to give back, you will not only brighten someone else's day but also enhance your own well-being. It's a reminder that the spirit of the season is about compassion, connection, and kindness. Whether through time, skills, or simple acts of kindness, every contribution counts and can significantly impact the lives of so many others.                                                                                                                               Please remember to give to those who are not as fortunate as many of our brothers and sisters, both in our UAW family and our communities. For way too many of us, the fear and struggle during a holiday season is real.

Let us talk about volunteering and donating to local charitable organizations. Donating and volunteering locally can be extra fulfilling during the holidays!                               

Tri-Count Office on Aging: The TCOA has been helping folks in the Lansing area for over 40 years. As a not-for-profit organization, TCOA helps older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers access programs and benefits, improve their health, and remain active in their communities. Working in partnership with agencies and service providers across the area, TCOA embraces a person-centered philosophy that focuses on how a person wants to live their life while honoring their preferences. Please visit their website for more information. www.tcoa.org. TCOA is located at 5303 South Cedar, Building 1, Lansing, Michigan, 48911. 517-887-1440.

Footprints of Michigan:  Founded by Geronimo Lerma III, this beautiful organization does so much for Lansing area residents, who need help with the basic need for footwear. Please visit their website at www.footprintsofmichigan.org.  Email:info@footprintsofmichigan.org.
Phone: 877. 811.SHOE (7463).  Footprints has distributed over 18,000 pairs in 2023.

Old Newsboys: Lansing’s very own tradition of raising money to provide shoes and boots for school-aged children in need. This program produces a yearly spoof newspaper, volunteers sell the paper one day a year, raising much needed money for the littles of our community this year was their 100th anniversary! I am proud of all who helped with the sale this year. Special thanks to our Local 4911’s volunteers this year. Daysha Knight, Kim Wheeler, Julie Locke and Joan Gauthier.                                                                                  Find out more information at www.lansingoldnewsboys.org. Phone 517-599-1261.

Here are a few additional non-profit organizations, google charities in Lansing or call your UAW Community Service Chair for more suggestions.

Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (www.mihomeless.org)

Against All Odds Cat Rescue (www.aaocatrescue.com/)

Association for Children's Mental Health
(https://www.acmh-mi.org/)

Animal Placement Bureau
(https://apbdogs.org/)

Woldumar Nature Association (www.woldumar.org )

Women’s Center of Greater Lansing (https://lansingwomen.org/)

Greater Lansing Food Bank ( https://greaterlansingfoodbank.org/)

May all your wishes come true, may your future be merry and bright.  
                                                                                        Make those precious memories with your family and friends. Always stay safe UAW Brothers and Sisters. 

Finally, I would like to urge local 4911 retirees to update their person contact information at your Local. Please contact the Hall at 517-372-7201 to update your phone number, mailing address, & email address.

In Solidarity,

Char