Building Trades News

Thieves took advantage of the quiet Thanksgiving holiday and broke into the agency’s storage facility where they made off with 1,000 toys that had been donated for needy children and 1,800 pounds of food, said Bill Fogarty, the organization’s Executive Director.

“The pantry has been there nine years and no one ever bothered it,” Fogarty said. He estimated that it must have taken the thieves 18 truckloads to clean out the pantry.
Brent Beasley, Business Manager for Roofers Local 220, is a long-time supporter of the agency and serves as the organization’s president. He said the crafts will be donating their skills to install reinforced concrete block wall and more secure gate on the pantry. After the incident Beasley came out and helped to weld a makeshift gate for temporary security.
Ironworkers Local 416 members were among the crafts who donated their time to help the ULAOC recover from the theft.

“After the break-in was publicized, donations from all across the country began coming in and they needed help getting everything organized and sorted so it could be given out to people from Orange County who need help,” said Local 416 Business Agent Greg Padilla. Several 416 members came out just before the holidays to help restock the food pantry.

“I heard that all the stuff was stolen and I was told that the Ironworkers were going to be coming here to donate some manpower; I wanted to help out and give a little something back,” said 416 member,” Tony Cruz. “We are in tough times and I think everyone knows someone who’s having a hard time right now.”

The volunteers were a huge help Fogarty said. “If these guys weren’t here we’d have to pay someone to do this.”

“The agency doesn’t have the resources to give a lot of assistance to people,” Beasley said. “We are helping people who need a little bit of help to get them over the hump.”

“If we can give some $300 worth of food – then that’s $300 dollars that family still has in their pocket to pay bills or rent,” Fogarty said. The ULAOC also teaches aid-recipients budgeting skills.

“Sometimes just a little bit of help is all somebody needs to on their feet,” Beasley said.

The Building Trades unions have been the agency’s biggest supporter according to Fogarty. “They are the backbone of this organization,” he said. “The Building Trades really understand the importance of helping their members through hard times.”

Fogarty said that Operating Engineers Local 12, Roofers Local 220, IBEW Local 441, Ironworkers Local 433 and 416, UA Local 582 and the Laborers were among the Building Trades unions who donated money, food, toys and manpower to the organization over the holidays.