By Silver Krieger
New York, NY — On Friday, December 16, members of Local 46 Metallic Lathers & Reinforcing Ironworkers came together for what has become a tradition for the union: the annual Toys for Tots Holiday Party. The gathering, held this year at Bar Nine in midtown Manhattan, brought together the rank and file as well as U.S. Marines. The aim of the event is to collect donations of toys for NYC area children in need. LaborPress spoke to Kevin O’Keefe, Business Agent at Local 46, to learn more about who is in the union, how the Toys for Tots custom began, and how it plays out to bring a true festive feel to hundreds of youngsters.
LP: Tell us about the Local 46 trade.
KO: Local 46’s trade consist of reinforced steel, post tension, wire lath, black iron, and suspended ceilings. Local 46’s trade is involved with highway, bridges, airports, commercial and residential buildings.
LP: Share some of the awe-inspiring structures built or contributed to by your members:
KO: Some of the structures are Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, World Trade Center, Hudson Yards, Barclays Center, Museum of Modern Art Tower, Central Park Tower, One Vanderbilt Tower, Museum of Natural History Expansion, and UBS Arena.
LP: How did Toys for Tots get started?
KO: 2022 marks the 75-year anniversary of U.S Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots. It was founded in 1947 by a United States Marine Reservist, Major Bill Hendricks. The U.S. Marine Corps used it as a national public relations and recruitment tool. Toys for Tots was launched as a national campaign. Walt Disney designed the red toy train logo.
LP: When did your Local get involved?
KO: Local 46 has participated with Toys for Tots every Christmas since 2013, with the help from the U.S. Marines from the 6th Communications Battalion out of Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, NY. Our members attend our annual Local 46 Toys for Tots Holiday Party and bring a toy. The U.S. Marines attend our party in their dress blue uniform and collect the toys and bring them back to base in order to prepare for distribution. The Marines hang with us at the party and then we help them load truckloads of presents into their vehicles.150 members of our union participate in bringing joy to children who might otherwise have little or nothing for the holidays. We collect 800 toys. Some members come with double bags. Some come with cash or checks. Thousands of dollars are collected from our members, other local unions, and employers. The toys are distributed to children in the NYC area who are in need.
LP: What is the most gratifying part of this endeavor?
KO: The most gratifying thing is supporting the less fortunate children in NYC and vicinity.
