Laborers’ inaugural family picnic raises $23,000 for charities

August 29, 2014 by

web.laborers-picnic1The Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota hosted a family picnic for LIUNA members in Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Park on Aug. 16, featuring food, carnival games, a car and motorcycle show – and a big boost for local charities.

The inaugural event raised over $23,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Upper Midwest, as well as the Laborers Charitable Foundation, which supports LIUNA members in their time of need.

“The first annual Laborers Family FUN-raiser is in the books, and by all accounts it was a great success,” District Council President Todd Pufahl said. “We raised a lot of money for our charities, built some camaraderie and solidarity across the organization and did the Laborers proud.

“We were very pleased with the turnout of over 400 Laborers Union member families at the picnic and also with the tremendous sponsorship support of both contractors and other Laborers Union supporters. It means a lot to us to be able to deliver that kind of money to the charities.”

Over the past 10 years the Laborers generated over $75,000 for charity through an annual motorcycle ride, which was given the Don Shelby Service Award in 2013 at the Ronald McDonald House’s annual gala. The union transitioned to a picnic to foster more of a family-friendly environment this year, said Dwight Engen, marketing director of Minnesota LECET, a sister organization of the Laborers.

“What a great event and a great day to raise money for our charities,” Engen said. “I believe that we are charged with a mission in helping others, and the Laborers Union members and all of the fine supporters really came to serve others in a big way.

“We are thankful to everyone that contributed and we just can’t wait to take the checks to these wonderful charities.”

LECET was created in 1992 as a non-profit joint labor-management cooperation effort affiliated with the Minnesota Laborers. It aims to promote the many benefits of union construction, including promoting career opportunities, member skills training, safety, construction industry advocacy and more while addressing initiatives that are of mutual benefit to both union contractors and Laborers members.

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Laborers’ charity motorcycle ride lauded by Ronald McDonald House

October 31, 2013 by
Participants in the Minnesota Laborers Ride for Charity raised $12,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.

Participants in the Minnesota Laborers Ride for Charity raised $12,000 for the Ronald McDonald House.

Ronald McDonald House of the Twin Cities honored the Minnesota Laborers Ride for Charity with its prestigious 2013 Don Shelby Service Award at a banquet Oct. 5 in Minneapolis.

In 2013 the Laborers Ride raised $12,000 for Ronald McDonald House charities. The ride has delivered over $75,000 to the charity over its 10-year run since its founding 10 years ago by Mitchell Nohrenberg, then a business agent for Laborers Local 563.

The ride boasts nearly 1,000 participants throughout its 10 years, and it has benefited from the support of union contractors and other organizations.

In addition, to riding for Ronald McDonald House charities, Laborers volunteers have been active supporters of efforts to find housing for returning veterans, build elementary school playgrounds, help flood victims in the Red River Valley and support food drives, memorials and community events across the Upper Midwest.

“We are compassionate about our work as Union members,” Nohrenberg said. “But we are also compassionate about our communities and this ride helps us support others who are in a position where they need some extra help.”

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