In the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA) held its 7th Annual Fundraising Gala July 16 at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington, D.C.
With more than 200 in attendance, the union-powered nonprofit organization raised nearly $200,000 in net proceeds to help propel its mission to unite the union community in providing access to the outdoors, opportunities for all, and preserving North America’s outdoor heritage.
“It’s been only 12 years since we launched the USA,” AFL-CIO President, USA founder and board chair Richard Trumka said in his address to the group. “And we now have more than 300,000 active members—and counting.”
The USA draws on the talents of its members—union brothers and sisters who possess a variety of trade and organizational skills—who volunteer their time to participate in projects that benefit conservation and public access in their local communities. Volunteers also donate time to outreach events such as youth outdoors days and veterans’ fishing events.
“The USA was responsible for more than 40 conservation projects from Maine to Oregon through our Work Boots on the Ground (WBG) program last year,” added Trumka, “where more than 600 volunteers donated 5,000-plus hours worth a quarter-million dollars in skilled union labor.
“And in one day—a single day—800 kids across the country got the chance to experience the thrill of casting a line and catching a fish through our outreach programs. Since 2017, we’ve introduced over 10,000 kids to fishing through our Get Youth Outdoors program!”
Jeanette Mauk, Ohio AFL-CIO field representative and recipient of the USA’s 2018 Volunteer of the Year Award, summed up the volunteer experience. “We do what we do because it’s in our hearts,” she said. “Union members want to give back to the communities in which they work and live, and doing things like renovating a disabled-accessible fishing pier at a public park, or putting on a Take Kids Fishing Day does just that, while strengthening ties between union members and their neighbors.”
“Coming together as union brothers and sisters to support our communities is what it’s all about,” echoed Insulators Local 14 Apprenticeship Training Director John Stahl. He organized and led a multi-faceted Work Boots on the Ground project to enhance public access and rebuild facilities at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia last year, which continues in 2019. The undertaking, which earned the USA’s 2018 Conservation Project of the Year Award at the Gala, directly benefits the 35 million people who live within a two-hour drive of this urban refuge.
The final individual honor presented at the Gala, the USA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, went to United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers International President Kinsey Robinson. One of the organization’s original founders, Robinson now serves on the board of directors, and was recognized for his longtime service to the USA.
USA President and CEO Scott Vance also thanked the organization’s Charter Unions for their unwavering support to the mission of uniting union members in service to their communities.
USA Charter Unions include:
AFL-CIO
International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
International Association of Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons
International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers
International Brotherhood of Boilermakers
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
International Union of Elevator Constructors
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
IUE–CWA Industrial Division
Laborers International Union of North America
North America’s Building Trades Unions
NFL Players Association
United Association
United Auto Workers
United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers
Utility Workers Union of America
Vance is also quick to point out that the organization’s ability to contribute to the welfare of the outdoors and people who cherish it lies not only with its dedicated unions and their members.
“From the beginning, we’ve welcomed and are grateful for the assistance and steadfast support from corporate partners who are devoted to our mission,” he said. “Partners like the Union Insurance Group (UIG), Bank of Labor, the Union Labor Life Insurance Co. (ULLICO) and Carhartt. Each of these organizations is a Diamond Level Partner, having provided more than $1 million each to the USA over the past 12 years.”
Four organizations were given special recognition during the event for their part in supporting USA’s mission. For donations surpassing $250,000, Lifetime Partner Awards were presented to Segal Consulting/Marco Advisors, Provost-Umphrey Law Firm, American Income Life Insurance Co., and Pure Fishing. Special thanks went to founding partner Buck Knives for its invaluable contributions dating back to the USA’s inception, including handsome, custom-logoed knives for the Gala. Additional founding partners include AFL-CIO Investment Trust Corporation, Bank of Labor, UIG and ULLICO.
“There is no way the USA could have become as big, or as strong, or accomplished as much, without the support of these valuable and loyal founding partners, and those who have joined them in support of our mission,” Vance said.
Along with the awards program and great fellowship, event attendees enjoyed a delicious meal and beverages, generously supplied and served by the Union Insurance Group, and had a fabulous time participating in the event’s fundraiser raffle and auction. Donated items ranged from a Florida Keys tarpon adventure and African safari to custom firearms and a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl.
Many thanks to all those who attended and helped support the USA’s mission.
