Inaugural Minnesota Laborers Union FUNraiser event raises $23,000 for charities

St. Paul, MN (August 27, 2014) - The Minnesota Laborers Union is pleased to announce the results of the Inaugural Laborers Family FUNraiser & Picnic – Car & Motorcycle Show to benefit the Ronald McDonald House and the Laborers Charitable Foundation charities. Held on Saturday August 16, 2014 at Minnehaha Falls Park in Minneapolis, the event raised over $23,000 in total for the charities.

“The Laborers are proud to be involved in our communities,” said Todd Pufahl, President of the Laborers District Council of MN & ND, the organization overseeing the event. “We were very pleased with the turnout of over 400 Laborers Union member families at the picnic and also with the tremendous sponsorship support of both contractors and other Laborers Union supporters. It means a lot to us to be able to deliver that kind of money to the charities.”

Over the past 10 years the Laborers generated over $75,000 for the Ronald McDonald Upper Midwest charities through an annual motorcycle ride. The annual motorcycle ride was given the Don Shelby Service Award in 2013 by RMH at their annual gala, a prestigious award to organizations that have made a difference for the house. This newer picnic style event helped foster more of a family- friendly environment while still keeping elements of the motorcycle gathering through the car and motorcycle show.

“What a great event and a great day to raise money for our charities,” added Dwight Engen, FUNraiser committee member and Construction Marketing Director of Minnesota LECET, a sister organization of the Laborers Union. “I believe that we are charged with a mission in helping others, and the Laborers Union members and all of the fine supporters really came to serve others in a big way. We are thankful to everyone that contributed and we just can’t wait to take the checks to these wonderful charities.”

About the Laborers District Council

Minnesota Laborers-Employees Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) was created in 1992 as a non-profit joint Labor/Management cooperation effort affiliated with the Minnesota Laborers Union. LECET aims to promote the many benefits of Union construction including promoting career opportunities, member skills training, safety, construction industry advocacy and more while addressing initiatives that are of mutual benefit to both signatory Union contractors and Laborers International Union of North America (LIUNA) members.

About the Charities

Ronald McDonald House Upper Midwest Charities serves as a home away from home for families of severely ill children. The Laborers Charitable Foundation, supports LIUNA member families internationally and in the Great Lakes Region and also supports other selected charitable organizations.