Summer Splash fundraiser celebrates 2011 Caribana season

UFCW Canada activists participating in the 2011 Summer Splash for leukemia and sickle cell research. To see a photo gallery of the event, click the above image.

UFCW Canada jumped into the 2011 Caribana season on July 9 with an action-packed celebration that raised over $3,000 for two life changing causes. Organized by UFCW Canada Local 1993 and the National Office, the union’s annual “Summer Splash” drew over 250 members, families and supporters from across Ontario to dance, share and combine their efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) and Camp Jumoke, a not-for-profit summer camp dedicated to helping children who suffer from sickle cell disease.

“Summer Splash is a way for UFCW Canada members to come together to celebrate the diversity of their union and to have a lot of fun while making a big difference for two very important charities,” says Local 1993 President Winston Gordon.

Over the past few years, Summer Splash has become the kick-off party for UFCW Canada’s fun-filled participation in Toronto’s Caribana festival which comes to a crescendo on July 30 in a spectacular parade that draws over a million merrymakers every year.

“Hundreds of UFCW Canada members participate in Caribana every summer and they are noticing their union become a leading force at one of Canada’s premier cultural festivals,” adds Brother Gordon. “The union’s successful participation in Caribana is a direct result of the interest and eager support we’ve received from Ontario local unions, the National Office and the union’s community allies.”

This year’s supporters and sponsors include UFCW Canada Local 12R24, Local 102, Locals 175 & 633, Local 206, Local 1000A, Local 1993, UFCW Canada National Office, Coalition of Black Trade Unionists (CBTU), Evans Law Firm, and the Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). 

Full coverage of UFCW Canada’s participation in the 2011 Caribana Parade will appear in an upcoming issue of DIRECTIONS.

To find out more about Toronto’s Caribana festival, go to www.caribanatoronto.com.