IBEW Local 164 & Hackensack University Gift Program Mak HOolidays Bright For Youngersters Who Are ILL

Annual Event Grants Children’s Wish List Items

IBEW Local 164 and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) have once again partnered for the Ninth Annual Gift Giving Program to grant the wishes of the hospital’s youngest patients and their siblings. This year, IBEW members and their families delivered more than 350 toys, clothing items and electronics to nine families with a total of 17 children.

The Local and its members sponsored five families; Denise Mandeville, business representative, and union member Kelly Whalen, project manager for Unity Telecommunications, sponsored a family while Whalen’s sister donated items for two additional families; and the Local 164 Retiree Group also donated items for another family.

In addition, IBEW Local 164’s very own Santa Claus, Victor Carrico (pictured), and John DeBouter, president and training director, spread some holiday cheer by hand-delivering gifts to HUMC’s hospitalized pediatric patients who were unable to be home for Christmas.

“Not a single person has been spared by the downturn in the economy, but all of us at IBEW Local 164 recognize that our health – and that of our loved ones, especially the youngest – is the greatest gift,” said Richard Dressel, Local 164 business manager. “We are truly grateful that we can spread some ‘magic’ and, if for only one day, ease the worries of parents and other relatives struggling to make ends meet while getting their child the best possible medical care.”

The HUMC Gift Giving Program and annual Santa Visit are part of Local 164’s ongoing “Union with Heart” outreach efforts. During this holiday season, the local also has collected hundreds of gifts for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s “Toys for Tots” Program.