The union is a pillar of support for the communities in which our members live and work. The union’s commitment to making a positive impact is shown through various initiatives that showcase the union’s dedication to connecting and supporting local communities.
$88,000 to food banks in Newfoundland and Labrador
In July 2024, at the District 6 Conference in St. John’s, N.L., members, local unions and the district raised over $88,000 for the Community Food Sharing Association that supports 60 different food banks across the province, helping 15,000 families who rely on their services. Then-District 6 Director Myles Sullivan presented a giant donation to the Community Food Sharing Association at the end of the We’re Ready conference in St. John’s, N.L.
Person-power volunteering in Northern Ontario
More than 20 volunteers from the USW Northeastern Ontario Area Council (NEOAC) joined the annual “good works” project at the Chelmsford Community Food Forest. The volunteers helped install a new walking path, remove overgrown weeds and place landscaping stones.
Connecting with Indigenous communities
In 2022, USW District 6 and USW Local 9548 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., presented a gift to Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig (SKG), an Indigenous university and teaching lodge inspired by Chief Shingwauk who lived in the area in the 1800s and had a vision of education for Indigenous peoples. The university is using the donation to bring Indigenous art to the beautiful space.
Supporting communities after wildfires
USW Local 1-207 purchased grocery gift cards for 445 members in Yellowknife, N.W.T., to help members and their families restock their fridges and pantries after being evacuated due to the devastating 2023 wildfires.
Golfing in support of the Twinkie Foundation
Steelworkers in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. raised $18,311 for the Twinkie Foundation through their 2024 charity golf tournament. The event helps families with travel costs associated with medical care for their children. Over five years, this initiative has raised more than $65,000!
Operation Backpack delivers back-to-school support to Hamilton kids
Through Operation Backpack, USW members and allies, including professional football players, local businesses and community volunteers, have been delivering back-to-school support to kids in the Hamilton, area for 15 years. The initiative raises funds in the community to provide backpacks filled with school supplies to help students return to class on the right foot.
Local 6500 supports the United Way
USW Local 6500 in Sudbury, Ont., and Vale raised more than $747,000 for the United Way campaign. Since 1982, the USW and Vale’s fundraising efforts have been the largest contributor to the United Way Centraide North East Ontario, with more than $21 million raised in 41 years. These contributions help the United Way deliver programming and services that build strong communities and help kids thrive.
Community Strong Festival supported by Steelworkers
USW Local 2724 is the title sponsor of the second annual Community Strong Festival in Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. The event is designed to raise funds and bring awareness to physical and mental health issues in the community. The event supports the Algoma Family Services Foundation and the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA.
Shave the ’Stache raises over $13,000
USW District 6 local unions and area councils contributed to a Shave the ’Stache fundraiser supporting FoodShare Toronto when then-director Myles Sullivan offered to shave his moustache if he got enough support for the cause. The 2023 initiative surpassed its goal and raised over $13,000.
Brightening Valentine’s Day for seniors
USW Local 1-306 members who work at Agropur Dairy visited Bridgeview Nursing Home in Miramichi, N.B., for Valentine’s Day in 2023 and gave out balloons to 81 residents living there. The smiles and hugs of appreciation from the residents truly made it a special day.
Supporting youth
USW NextGen committees in District 3 and Local 2009 delivered over 200 boxes of cereal to Directions Youth Services, a 24-hour drop-in centre located in downtown Vancouver that helps address the immediate needs of homeless and precarious youth aged 13-24 years.
Food bank support in Saskatoon
In 2022, USW Saskatoon Area Council members including Malik Draz of USW Local 2014, Gord Hiebert of USW Local 7458, Kim Wehner of USW Local 7689 and Jason Prokopchuk of USW Local 7689, presented a cheque for $4,000 to the Saskatoon Food Bank.
Backpack drive for school kids
In 2022, USW Local 8782 and the USW Southwestern Ontario Area Council joined forces and collected 700 backpacks just in time for back to school. The backpacks were donated to the Southwestern Ontario School Board and the village of Shedden, Ont.
Guy Farrell Memorial Golf Tournament
District 5 held its annual Guy Farrell memorial golf tournament in Sorel-Tracy, Que., named in memory the late Assistant to the District 5 Director. Golfers raised $10,000 to support two organizations: Maison Source Bleu palliative care centre and the Quebec organization of shelters for survivors of gender-based domestic violence.
Alleviating homelessness in Quebec communities
Local 9700 members at ABI in Bécancour, Que., raised $3,000 to support the Centre le Havre which helps those experiencing homelessness in Quebec’s Mauricie region.
$35,000 for Leucan’s Shaved Head Challenge
In 2024, District 5 held its 60th Assemblée annuelle in Jonquière, Que. District Director Dominic Lemieux agreed to have his head shaved onstage, following local and individual donations to the Shaved Head Challenge which raised $35,000 for Leucan, an organization promoting the recovery and well-being of cancer-stricken children and their families.
Women of Steel’s community action supports shelters
Quebec’s District 5 Women of Steel Committee has launched activities to mark International Women’s Day in 2025, including a drive to collect items for basic necessity bags for women and children living in shelters after surviving domestic violence situations.