Teamsters Band ‘Together’ for Chicago Day of Service

Members Join Rahm Emanuel During Community Projects Citywide

Teamsters showed their solidarity on Saturday, May 14, 2011, by joining Mayor Rahm Emanuel to pluck weeds, collect refuse and apply fresh coats of paint citywide during the “Chicago Together” Day of Service.

Members of Teamsters Local 700 and the Chicago Chapter of the Teamsters National Black Caucus began the day by beautifying the 65th Street Community Garden in the city’s Engelwood neighborhood. Emanuel joined Teamsters and other volunteers at the start of his inaugural weekend to plant fresh flowers, turn soil beds and remind residents of the importance of community service.

Teamsters Local 727 Vice President Zeberdee Barnes was featured on WGN News alongside Emanuel at 65th Street and Woodlawn Avenue.

“Teamsters truly banded together with Chicago’s new mayor to give something back to the neighborhoods and streets where we live and work,” said John T. Coli, President of Teamsters Joint Council 25. “The spirit of unity is at the heart of our union and the Teamsters proved once again that we will answer the call for service.”

Business representatives and members of Local 727 assembled at the banks of the Chicago River to do their part. Volunteer crews gathered on the city’s North Side to remove debris and collect garbage and recyclables from the river’s edge.

Further south in Humboldt Park, at the intersection of California Avenue and Division Street, members of Teamsters Local 705, Teamsters Local 731 and Local 700 were busy planting flowers outside the Casa Central Community Center. Inside, more than 20 members of the Chicago Teamsters Hispanic Caucus joined with family and friends to paint recreation rooms, bathrooms and offices. Casa Central has provided dozens of programs to Hispanic children and families throughout Chicago since 1954.

“The role of the Teamsters Union is not relegated to the workplace,” said Coli. “As evidenced throughout Chicago’s Day of Service, our members aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and kick up some dirt in the name of charity and community.”

While packs of Teamsters worked on the North and South sides, Chicago Together volunteers were performing similar acts of goodwill at various locations throughout the city. Families were also welcome to attend a free concert in Grant Park following the Day of Service, in anticipation of Emanuel taking the official oath of office on Monday, May 16, 2011.

Teamsters Joint Council 25 represents more than 100,000 hardworking men and women throughout Illinois and Indiana.

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