IAM Local 2917 members recently hit the track to raise much needed donations for the Relay For Life 2025. The annual event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society at multiple sites around the world, gives teams an opportunity to raise money for medical research to end cancer. It has raised billions of dollars for cancer research since its first event in 1985.
IAM Local 2917 members raised nearly $2,000 with their walk.
“The Local could have just made a donation with a check, but the Women’s Committee and the Veterans Services program challenged our members to step up and walk,” said IAM Local 2917 Recording Secretary Margie Smith. “And we did more than walk! It was truly a great challenge and team effort.”
Smith recently completed the Leadership Excellence Assembly of Dedicated Sisters, or IAM LEADS course. She brought the enthusiasm from that course back to Eastern Georgia to rally her brother and sister union members to come together to form a team for this event.
Local 2917 represents Service Contract Act workers at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield just over 40 miles from Savannah, Ga. It is home to the 3rd Infantry Division, and one of the largest military mobilization points on the East Coast.
Local 2917’s team won the award for “Best T-Shirt” for the 80’s-themed event by combining the image of the “Walk This Way” record with a “Back to the 80’s” logo.
IAM Local 2917 members have participated in the Relay for Life event for three years, raising thousands of dollars each year.
The team was honored to walk this year in memory of late Local 2917 President Ray Caywood, who passed away from cancer unexpectedly this past February. Current Local 2917 President Colleen Brutton is also fighting cancer, and was at the event to inspire her members.
“These are the types of activities that warm my heart,” said IAM Southern Territory General Vice President Craig Martin. “We always come together when one of our own is in a fight, and cancer is a fight that we can’t see. Union members, like our brothers and sisters at 2917, are doing great work in their communities and supporting each other. I am honored to make a donation to their cause on behalf of the Southern Territory and the Executive Council.”
Anyone can still donate now at the link here to support this year’s donation from the Fighting Machinists of Local 2917.
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