MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Building Trades' Heat for the Holidays campaign has raised over $5,000 which will now be donated to a local shelter.
Heat for the Holidays allowed for local members and trade unions to give back. Those unions were:
- Heat and Frost Local 18
- Sheet Metal workers Local 18
- Bricklayer Local 8
- Tile setters Local 5
- Laborers Local 113
- Ironworkers Local 8
- Teamsters Local 200
- IBEW Local 494
- Roofers Local 65
- Boilermakers Local 107
- Painters Dist. Council 7
- Cement Masons Plasters
- Local 599.
Because of the generosity of these trade unions, the Milwaukee Building-Construction Trades Council will be giving a $5,100 check to Meta House on Tuesday.
Meta House is a local shelter that is working "to end the generational cycle of addiction by healing women and strengthening families," a press release from United Way said.
“As we close out an incredibly difficult year, Meta House is extremely grateful for the generous support of several local trade unions,” said Valerie P. Vidal, president and CEO of Meta House. “In partnership with United Way, their gift will cover utility costs for the families living at Meta House throughout the month of January 2021, ensuring they have a warm and nurturing place to heal."
In years past, the trade unions have focused on making sure kids had gifts under their tree on Christmas. However, due to the pandemic, the unions switched their focus to the basic needs of heat and shelter.
“When making the shift to supporting heat and shelter, we thought of helping a family shelter such as Meta House, which does such great work to assist women with the healing they need in the company of their children,” said Dan Bukiewicz, president of The Milwaukee Building-Construction Trades Council.
