For the second year, the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 252 hosted a Casino Night event, raising $17,145 in support of United Way of Long on November 12, 2016 at the IBEW Local 25 offices in Hauppauge, NY. Proceeds from the ‘Bets for Vets’ event will benefit United Way’s Mission United initiative, which provides crucial employment services, education, financial services, health and housing support to veterans. The need for these services is particularly significant as there are more than 135,000 veterans living across the Island.
“TWU Local 252 has been a strong advocate and supporter of our Mission United program for several years, and we are grateful that they continue to find creative and engaging ways to show their dedication to helping veterans,” said Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island.
“This year’s Casino Night was a tremendous success due to the outpouring of support from those who attended and donated goods and services,” said Debra Hagan, President of TWU Local 252. “We are proud to make this donation to our long-time partner knowing that the funds directly help our local heroes.”
More than 300 attendees enjoyed an evening of fun and excitement while honoring local veterans. The program included inviting veterans in attendance to take part in reciting the Spartan Pledge - an oath that a veteran will not end their own life, no matter the circumstances - written by Boone Cutler, and led by retired FDNY Daniel Prince. The Casino Night featured traditional games such as craps, roulette, let it ride, poker and black jack, along with an altruistic group of local entertainers who donated their time and talent. This included magician and mentalist Robin Channing who had the audience in awe and singers Anita Starlite and Lisa Polizzi who brought down the house. Music throughout the event was provided by Partners in Sound Productions. An overflowing buffet was available – much of the food and beverages were also donated by local restaurants and companies.
The successful event was sponsored and supported by the following: Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc., East End Bus Lines, Inc., Nassau Inter-County Express, TWU Local 501, TWU International, Crackerjack Promos, Impala Press, Ltd., Miller Caggiano & Kaplan, LLP., Fusco, Brandenstein & Rada, P.C., Colleran O’Hara & Mills L.L.P.
To learn more about United Way’s Mission United program, visit www.unitedwayli.org/MissionUnited. To view additional photos from the event visit the Facebook album.
Photo caption: Theresa A. Regnante, President & CEO of United Way of Long Island accepts a donation from the proceeds from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 252’s Casino Night event, pictured with TWU Local 252 representatives Luis Mercado, Denise Fleming, TWU Local 252 President Debra Hagan and Terry Hind, Business Agent for TWU Local 252.
About United Way of Long Island
United Way of Long Island advances the common good, creating opportunities for a better life for all by focusing on the three key building blocks of education, financial stability and health. We recruit people and organizations that bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done. LIVE UNITED® is a call to action for everyone to become part of the change. United Way of Long Island is part of a worldwide network spanning across 41 countries and territories, including more than 1,200 local organizations in the U.S. For more information about United Way of Long Island, please visit www.UnitedWayLI.org, Facebook or Twitter.
About Transport Workers Union Local 252
The Transport Workers Union of America was founded in 1934 as an industrial union dedicated to the promise that an organization built on trust and equality for all workers cannot be denied. Our motto is "United-Invincible."
TWU is affiliated with the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) and the worldwide International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). We are a trade union representing workers in Mass Transportation, Airline, Railroad, Utility, University, Municipalities, Service and allied industries. We currently represent over 3,700 members at N.I.C.E. Bus/Paratransit, Suffolk Transportation Service, Inc./Suffolk Bus First Student, Guardian Bus Company and Baumann Bus. Our members are made up of transit operators, school bus drivers, van drivers, matrons, paratransit operators and mechanics.