LABORERS TO CELEBRATE THEIR HARD WORK BY GIVING BACK TO THOSE IN NEED AT AUGUST 16 PICNIC

Laborers Family Picnic FUNraiser features live music, kids activities, a car and motorcycle show and the philanthropy that has become the organization’s legacy

ST PAUL, MN (August 6, 2014) – The Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota, along with The Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) announced today plans for the first-ever Laborers Family Summer Picnic FUNraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, August 16 at Minnehaha Park. This family event will feature a LECET BBQ picnic, live music, a "Kidway" with a construction themed bounce house, giant Velcro wall, 9 hole mini-golf course and a dunk tank. Laborers and contractors will also get a chance to show off their classic cars and motorcycles on the grounds of scenic Minnehaha Falls Park. While the event itself is free for Laborer members and contractors, voluntary donations will gladly be accepted to support Ronald McDonald House Charity and the Laborers Charitable Foundation.

So far thanks to our great partner signatory contractors and service providers we are on track to raise more that twenty thousand dollars for these worthy charities.

“We wanted to continue our great tradition of philanthropy, and build on it by engaging all of our members and their families,” said Todd Pufahl, president and business manager of Laborers District Council. “We want to provide a fun time for our hard working members and their families, build some camaraderie and solidarity and raise some more resources for charities that help all families."

While this event is new, it is not the first time the Laborers Union and LECET have put on an event to raise funds for charity. For more than a decade they hosted an annual Laborers Ride for Charity fundraiser that generated more than $75,000 for the Ronald McDonald Upper Midwest Charities. Last year, the Laborers were recognized for this event by being named as recipients of the Don Shelby Service Award given annually to a community partner that raise awareness and advance the mission of the Ronald McDonald House and provides significant benefits to families who use its services and facilities.

In addition, the new location of this event, Minnehaha Falls Park, is very familiar to many union workers. Laborers Union members proudly maintain all of Minneapolis's Parks, Lakes, Public spaces, Golf Courses as well as it's Urban Forest.

“We are looking forward to a great day, rain or shine,” said Pufahl. “Our members work hard, but they also know how to have fun and are always willing give back to those who need help or support. It’s a real privilege to be part of a group that does so much to build community.”

2014 Laborers Family FUNraiser at-a-glance:

What: Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota and LECET host Laborers Family FUNraiser event:

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, August 16, 2014

Where: Minnehaha Falls Park, 4801 South Minnehaha Park, Drive, in Minneapolis

Who: All Laborers Union members, partner signatory contractors and their families

About Laborers District Council

Chartered in 1968 by the Laborers International Union of North America, LiUNA, the Laborers District Council of Minnesota and North Dakota and its seven affiliated Local Unions represent approximately 12,000 workers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin.

About LECET

The Laborers-Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) brings the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) and its signatory contractors together to address issues of importance to both. Laborers and their employers share a lot of common ground. Working as a team, they secure projects and jobs, increase union-sector market share, advertise their services, develop a workforce, and advance shared market-related interests. One of LIUNA’s three cooperative labor-management Tri-Funds, LECET, is similar to a trade association. It looks down the road, sees where the construction industry is going, then musters the resources of LIUNA and the Tri-Funds to position Laborers and their signatory contractors to make the most of the future. It works closely with leading industry organizations on issues of importance to the entire industry such as transportation funding, market-related legislation, marketing strategies, and workforce development. LECET consists of one national office, located in Washington, DC, and a network of 31 regional, state, and local funds. For more information visit http://www.lecet.org.

About LiUNA:

Chartered in 1968 by the Laborers International Union of North America, LiUNA, the Laborers District Council of MN and ND and its seven affiliated Local Unions represent about 12,000 workers in Minnesota, North Dakota and Northwestern Wisconsin. For more information check out their website or Facebook page http://www.minnesotalaborers.org or http://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaLaborers