Union tackles tough times in Manitoba

With the economy sinking and many families struggling, the Christmas period can be anything but joyful, but led by CEIU’s Regional Women’s Committee, members in Manitoba brought a better Christmas to many in the province.

Sherry Evans, a member of the Committee, credits the generosity of her members for the success of this year’s “Christmas is in the Bag” campaign: “We get a strong response from our members every year, but in 2008 they knew the need was greater – and they really came through.”

National President Jeannette Meunier-McKay praised the Committee’s work and the members’ generosity, adding “For a union, solidarity takes many forms, and supporting those in need is one of the most important.”

In the following letter that appeared originally in Service Canada’s “Prairie Connection” publication, Evans describes the campaign and its rewarding outcomes.

Christmas is in the Bag

Sherry Evans
CEIU Women’s Committee, MB Region

The Women’s Committee of the Manitoba Region would like to share our story of “Christmas is in the Bag”.

The Canada Employment and Immigration Union (CEIU) Manitoba Region Women’s Committee consists of the following four federal employees: Sherry Evans from Selkirk, Lori Willcocks from Morden, Carolin Foster from The Pas, and Cathy Moar from Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) in Winnipeg. Our Alternate National Vice-President of Manitoba Region, Susan Norman from Brandon, also works with the committee.

The CEIU Women’s Committee commemorates dates that are of importance to women such as December 6th – National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, and March 8th – International Women’s Day. The committee also provides education to women, and holds an annual women’s conference.

However, our biggest campaign is "Christmas is in the Bag". This was the third year for the campaign which was another huge success. The “Christmas is in the Bag” campaign consisted of the Women’s Committee purchasing Christmas-themed bags and distributing the bags to the Service Canada and CIC offices. CEIU members who work for Service Canada and CIC purchased the bags for $2.00 and then filled them up with items for women, youth, and children. Half of the cost of the bags went towards a 50/50 draw. A total of 371 bags were sold and filled across Manitoba this year. All bags were delivered on December 22nd and 23rd, 2008, across Manitoba to the Women’s shelters.

The response at the shelters in Winnipeg and across Manitoba brought tears to our eyes. This brings me to share a couple of stories with all of you to let you know just how important this initiative is.

Story 1: At one shelter in Winnipeg, the Director explained that last year when giving out the gift bags to the women and children, there was one woman in particular that would not allow her child to open the bag with all of the other children. The Director later found out the reason. The gift bag that was given by the Women’s Committee was the only gift both mother and child would have had for Christmas morning.

Story 2: When I was in Dollarama buying bags to be sold within our offices, a woman came up to me and asked if I was buying these bags for a women’s shelter in which I replied that I was. The woman had tears in her eyes and went on to explain that she was one of those women in a shelter last year that received one of our bags. She felt she couldn’t say thank you enough for providing these gifts for the women and their children in the shelters at Christmas time as this is a very tough time of year for them. She stated that we have no idea how much these gifts are appreciated and how important it is to them to know they are being thought of.

Every one of the shelters that we delivered bags to expressed their sincere gratitude for thinking of the women, children, and youth, in their shelters at this difficult time of year.

On behalf of the Canada Employment and Immigration Union Manitoba Region Women’s Committee, we would like to express our sincere thanks to all who participated in this worthwhile cause and thank you for the generous gifts. Great job, everyone!