Pictured above are: (L-R) International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, Local 94 President Danny Miranda, seven year-old cancer survivor Sydney Waldrop, International President Bob McEllrath, Local 63 President Mike Podue, and Local 23 Pensioner President Mike Jagielski.
ILWU Locals 13, 63 and 94 joined forces once again to sponsor the 9th Annual ILWU Tri Party Golf Challenge on September 6-8. Generous contributions from individuals, combined with financial support from the ILWU International and Coast Committee, made it possible to donate $50,000 to the Miller Children’s Hospital in Long Beach, plus an additional $7,000 donation to the “Arnie’s Army” project of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
“This is a great example of how our contributions can have a big impact in communities where ILWU members live and work,” said International President Bob McEllrath who participated in the benefit tournament along with International Vice-President (Mainland) Ray Familathe and International Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams.
This year’s ILWU Tri-Party Committee was led by Mark and Virginia Grgas, along with John and Linda Dadich, Red and Celine McGovern, Eddie and Jenny Ceja, Mando and Maria Porras, Gil Garcia, Mark J. Grgas, Frankie Grgas, and longtime ILWU supporter Michele Aragon.
The Tournament Committee hosted the family of seven year-old cancer survivor Sydney Waldrop, who has been receiving treatment at Miller Children’s Hospital for a rare cancer. Sydney’s mother, father and brother were invited to stay with her in a complimentary Palm Springs condo near the Indian Canyon Golf Resort.
“We do this event each year to help the children at Miller’s Hospital who otherwise could not afford treatment,” said Mark Grgas. “These kids spend most of their young lives just fighting to survive.” Grgas expressed his sincere thanks to the many supporters who come from great distances to join the event, including participants from the Pacific Northwest – and one supporter who comes each year from New Orleans.