International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO, #Local 447
Its near 7PM and Sister Anisha takes me to the school next door to visit the St Joseph Girls hostel children. These are children who go to a school here that I have always called big blue. Every year these children are given a great night sponsored by the IAM Machinist Union Local # 447. The union offices in Massachusetts as well as in New York send me donated money every year for this special night.
The children truly look forward to it. This year when I entered the school yard the children were all lined up outside clapping their hands real loud. As the Sisters escorted me into the school hall everyone followed behind. When I arrived in the hall I don’t think you could fit one more person in it as it was so full.
The kids were clapping and clapping saying IAM 447 as loud as they could over and over. It was just great and such a warm welcome for me. This year the children put on a special program for me with beautiful Indian dance.
The Sisters hired a Video man and a Photographer to capture the special night with DVD video and still photographs of the students. All I had to do was enjoy the night and not worry about anything. The program of dance was very good and the kids looked great. I brought with me many things to give the children clothes and toys that were in 1 big box.
After the dancing program the children had a meal of Chinese food and Chips that the Sisters had pre arranged to have for everyone. I stayed at this school for 2 hours and it sure was a lot of fun for everyone. When it was time to say good bye, every student came and shook my hand and said thank you to me for a nice night.
I am proud to be a union member of local # 447. Every single year the members step forward to help me. I want to say a special Thank You to all my Brothers and Sisters of IAM # 447 and to the Daughters of the Cross Sisters, Sister Prava Tirkey, Sister Josline Kindo and Sister Jyotsna Kullu for making this night so special. It was a night the children and the Sisters will never forget.
