BY BUSINESS MANAGER BOB WARD
My letter was mailed to all of you at the end of September to share news of some major changes Local 340 will be going thru in the next six months, namely we have purchased a new building and property and will be moving to Rancho Cordova. I want to thank everyone who is supporting this decision to move out of the building on El Centro Road and those who have offered to help with the move. Everything is moving along nicely with regards to our new building and once we have a solid “move-in date”, we will be sure to let all of you know.
LABOR DAY – Loaves & Fishes
Thank you to the following members who volunteered on Labor Day at Loaves & Fishes feeding the homeless: Sister Roseanne Gilmore, Brother Jesse Naranjo, Mitchell Newman IV and Art Mendoza (who was accompanied by his daughter Jennifer Mendoza).
LOCAL 340 PICNIC
If you missed the picnic this year, you missed a good one and we missed you. Close to 800 people showed up on September 16th at Elk Grove Park and the picnic, as always, ran like clock-work. Once again, thanks goes out to all of Local 340’s Secretaries & Agents and this year’s picnic committee members who have been working behind the scenes for the last six months planning this event. I also want to thank every member and every member’s wife, husband, partner, Mom, Dad or child, who stepped up to volunteer at the event. It was your hard work that made the picnic to go off without a hitch and ensured that everyone there had a great time.
Our very generous picnic sponsors this year were: Platt Electric, United Administrative Services, Operating Engineers Federal Credit Union, West America Bank, Kaiser Permanente, LMCC/NECA, American Income Life Insurance, Winkler Forner CPA, Sierra Office Supplies, Local 340 RENEW Group and Brother Tim Coddington and his wife, Jean.
The winners of the two 43” Smart HD TV’s that were donated by our LMCC were 16 year member Brother Bryan Wilfong and brand new Local 340 member Brother Prince Tarpley. Retired member Brother Tom Fox won the Corn-Hole game that had been donated by RENEW and in true “Tom Fox fashion”, he re-donated the game back to 340’s Business Office for members to enjoy at future events. Thank you Brother Fox!
Congratulations to this years’ Picnic Horseshoe Tournament Winners Mom and Son duo Sister Sandy Abbott and Brother Aiden Abbott (who you might have noticed, also manned the Beer Garden at the picnic again this year.)
Operation Christmas Basket Raffle 2017
The IBEW/NECA 36th Annual Operation Christmas Basket fundraiser is now underway. Tickets are available for $1.00 each. The prizes are:
1st Prize – $1,500.00 cash
2nd Prize – Shotgun
3rd Prize – $250.00 in Lottery Scratchers
The kickoff for this fundraiser will be held at the October 4th Union meeting. Tickets can be purchased at the meeting, at any of our events, at the Hall or from Local Officers and Members who have signed out books of tickets to sell. Although this has been a great year again for our members, there are still Union families who struggle so your generosity to Operation Christmas Basket every year is greatly appreciated. The drawing will be held at the Sacramento Membership/Christmas Dinner Meeting on December 6th.
Local 340 Toy & Food Drive
We will also be holding our own Christmas Food and Toy Drive specifically for Local 340 families who might be having a difficult time during the Holidays. Please bring non-perishable food items and new toys into the Business Office. All donations will be distributed to Local 340 members who might need a little extra help at the Holidays. We like to “bulk up” their Christmas Baskets with your donations. Again, thank you.
SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS MEMBERS
Be sure to attend your next regularly scheduled Unit Meeting scheduled for Tuesday October 24th @ 5PM here at the Hall. Your contract expires on November 30th and there is much to discuss.
PIN PRESENTATION
The pin presentation is scheduled for Saturday November 4th here at the Hall. Anyone wishing to show support for this years’ members who will be receiving their 50, 55, 60 and 65 year pins, is welcome to attend this luncheon. Just call Reyna at the Hall to RSVP.
SPORTSMAN’S CLUB NEWS:
The Annual 340 Sportsman’s Club Raffle was a huge success this year. Thanks to everyone who donated. The winner of the Henry Lever Action .44 mag Rifle was Mrs. Joan Larson (wife of Brother Lud Larson). Joan has always supported the Local Sportmans’ Club, as well as the annual Operation Christmas Basket Raffle (which was started by Brother Larson and Brother Harry Bain over 36 years ago) so that win by Joan was well- deserved!!
IBEW BABIES
Apprentice Brother Glenn Young is a new daddy. His son, Glenn Allen Young V was born on August 20th and weighed in at 10lbs, 15 ounces.
ACCIDENTS & ILLNESSES:
Update on Brother Michael Bonito: Brother Bonito’s recovery from a recent motorcycle accident is going to be a long one but he is working real hard towards his recovery. The money recently donated by Local 340 members will be specifically used at the SCI-FIT Gym which is an exercise based therapy facility specializing in Spinal Cord Injuries. Brother Bonito and his fiancé, April, are hopeful that this will enable Michael to gain even more movement in his arms soon. Again, Brother Bonito is grateful for the prayers and support he has received and welcomes call and visits from the members. Call the Hall for his contact information.
REST IN PEACE BROTHERS
Since our last article, we have been notified of the passing of the following members:
- Brother Walter McCurry – 54 year member / 78 years of age
- Brother James Chuck Row – 28 year member / 78 years of age
- Brother James Valentine – 18 year member / 74 years of age.
Services for Brother Valentine will be held on Friday October 6th at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road in Dixon at 11:30 AM.
UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS SACRAMENTO MEMBERSHIP MEETING – 1st Wednesdays – 6PM
REDDING UNIT MEETING – 1st Wednesday’s – 6:00 PM
SOUND & COMMUNICATIONS UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 4TH Tuesdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall – NEXT S&C MEETING Tuesday October 24th @ 5PM
CIVIL SERVICE UNIT MEETING – Quarterly on the 3RD Thursdays of January, April, July & October at the Hall. NEXT CIVIL SERVICE MEETING Thursday October 19th @ 5pm!