UWUA Local 223 recently held its First Annual Unity & Solidarity Picnic on Saturday, August 20, 2011, with over 500 people attending, including more than 150 kids and some Local 223 retirees.

By moving the picnic to a different weekend, away from the Labor Day Holiday to a weekend day during the school summer break period,  we had more children attending because they didn’t have to get up for the first day of school the next day,” said June Heath, Local 223 Recording Secretary. “The picnic really turned out good; the weather was perfect and the food was great and we had lots of participation.”

The Local 223 Unity and Solidarity Picnic had a variety of activities for the young and old, including a face painter, a balloon maker, DJ, and two moonwalks.  The afternoon also included a toy for all of the little children and a raffle for a variety of prizes including gifts cards and a GPS unit.

Members enjoyed a picnic meal of sausages, regular and turkey hot dogs and hamburgers, corn on the cob, potato salad, fruit salad, beverages and ice cream.

The planning and staffing duties for this fabulous event were provided by members of the Local 223 Executive Planning Committee.  Heath wished to “extend a sincere thanks to the committee members for their help in making this such a memorable and unifying event”.  The Local 223 Executive Planning Committee members include; Beverly Birchfield, Cathy Dawson, June Heath, Sandra Crum, Kim Tassen, Tanya McCullough, Paula Turner, Hunter Hardrick, Marshall Watkins, Joe Dams, Rick Whitecotton, Marc Little, James Foote, Gaye Sullivan, and Ray Sullivan.

Local Recording Secretary Heath also reported on the Local 223 toiletry donation program that she has been leading for a few years.  She showed a sample of what Local 223 has been donating to homeless shelters.  Items needed include trial-sized soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, hand sanitizer, toothpaste, toothbrushes, wash clothes, combs, brushes, Kleenex packets, personal hygiene items and deodorant.

She is the process of identifying additional homeless shelters in the greater Detroit Metro Area where Local 223 can send its donations.  If you are interested in providing some toiletries, contact June Heath at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 313.216.0788 so she can arrange to pick up your donations.  You can also drop items off at the Local 223 Union Hall, 15160 Commerce Drive-North in Dearborn, MI.