A $1,000 donation by Plumbers and Fitters Local 290 to child welfare
employees at the Oregon Department of Human Services in East Multnomah
County helped foster kids enjoy a holiday party Dec. 18.
“Local 290 is awesome. They treat us so well,” said
Deborah Bruun, a social service specialist who helps organize the
annual event.
The State of Oregon used to fund the party, which includes candy
cane fishing poles that catch stuffed animals (pictured above),
craftmaking and cookie decorating (pictured below left), pizza,
gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus (left) at the festively-decorated
Multnomah County office in Southeast Portland. Some 200-plus kids
and foster parents attend each year.
But budget cuts in the late ‘90s dried up the money-source
for the party. State employees thought the event was so vital for
the children that they began raising money on their own time.
Bruun cold-called Local 290 about seven years ago, and the union
has been contributing ever since. “They take such great care
of us,” Bruun said. “You just can’t imagine how
thankful we are.”
