SANTA YNEZ CHUMASH, UA LOCAL 114 PARTNER FOR BUILD-A-BIKE EVENT TO BENEFIT CASA CHILDREN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Veronica Sandoval
vsandoval@sychumashfoundation.org
SANTA YNEZ, CA – November 12, 2019 – When the UA Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 114 in Buellton wanted to make the holidays a little brighter for children in need, it reached out to the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians to form a partnership, create an event and select the appropriate beneficiary.
The result was in a build-a-bike workshop at UA Local 114 on Nov. 2 to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County. The tribe and union shared the costs, which included expenditures for helmets, and the union apprentices assembled various bicycles and tricycles – 44 in total – along with Team Chumash, the tribe’s volunteer program.
With the help of vehicles from Toyota of Santa Maria, the bikes were delivered to CASA of Santa Barbara, which will satisfy the wish lists of foster children who are hoping for some new wheels this holiday season.
"CASA is so grateful for the partnership with Team Chumash and UA, along with many other companies, schools and individuals who are helping to make the holiday season a little bit less stressful for children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect, and have been removed from their homes for their protection,” said Kim Davis, Executive Director for CASA of Santa Barbara County. “With children in crisis, it's so important to try to give them something that helps to normalize their life, to give them a break from the sadness of being separated from family and friends.”
UA Local 114 Business Manager Michael Lopez said his organization has contributed to fundraising efforts in the past, but, this year, gathering the apprentices to volunteer their time and do something great for the community was a priority.
“We see what the Chumash Foundation is doing out in the community, and the tribe itself has been unbelievably good to us,” Lopez said. “They have supported local union labor, which is a big deal. They don’t have to, but we appreciate the loyalty. So, we reached out to see if we could figure out a way to partner on a donation. We work with our hands, so building bikes could not be a better match for what would fit with our guys.”
Over 30 apprentices, teachers and union representatives used their tools and expertise to make sure the bikes were in working order. The event was also attended by Third District County Supervisor Joan Hartmann.
“A lot of us have kids at home, so we know what it means for a kid to get a bike on Christmas,” said Rick Mooney, an instructor for Local Union 114.
Fourth-year apprentice Mike Coleman added: “It feels good for all of us to come together and do something good for the community. Building bikes for kids at Christmas was a cause we could all get behind.”
CASA is coordinating a gift drive with hopes that local children in foster care will have a happy holiday season.
“We are prepared to make sure that every child who is a dependent of the court has a reason to smile this Christmas, but we could not do that without partners like Team Chumash and UA,” Davis said. “Their project to build these bikes is extra special because we don't have the time or the skills to build bikes, and this guarantees big smiles from kids who will be thrilled to have their own bike for Christmas."
The United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA), affiliated with the national building trades, represents approximately 355,000 plumbers, pipefitters, sprinkler fitters, service technicians and welders in local unions across North America.
The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians has donated more than $25 million to hundreds of groups, organizations and schools in the community and across the nation as part of the tribe’s long-standing tradition of giving.