TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Most years, people spend their Labor Day having picnics, parties, and parades.
This year, a group of masked volunteers spent their morning in an assembly line at the American Legion, celebrating the true meaning of the holiday.
The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations is the largest federation of unions in the United States. It is made up of 55 national and international unions, together representing more than 12 million active and retired workers
AFL-CIO Central Labor Council representative Shari Gewanter says they’ve shifted their focus from traditional celebrations to service events to help organizations like the Big Bend Homeless Coalition, specifically the branch that services homeless veterans.
About 20 people from groups like the Leon Classroom Teachers Association and the AFL-CIO lined up to fill plastic bags with toiletries, tarps, tents, and more, all to help homeless vets in our area.
"With COVID, right now they need to help people who are experiencing homelessness has amplified, and so that was the organization that we picked to help today and we have a lot of volunteers who have joined us to help us with the assembly lines," said Gewanter. "We’ve been collecting things for over a month money and supplies."
Even with the healthy turn out today and over the course of the past month, Gewanter says they welcome all donations and assistance.
If you’d like to donate or volunteer, you can contact the Big Bend Homeless Coalition directly by clicking here.
