Local 477 Receives Donation for New Disaster Response Trailer
On March 15, 2024, Springfield, Ill., LIUNA Local 477 received a donation of $15,000 from Springfield Clinic, one of the largest multispecialty medical clinics in Illinois. The donation will be used to build and equip a new response trailer for the Laborers’ Disaster Relief Team (LDRT).
According to Zach Kerker, pictured below, “Last year’s tornado impacted dozens of families, including some of our employees, and we learned what a valuable resource the [LIUNA LDRT] have been to first responders … It was an easy decision to support them.”
The LDRT was formed after two tornados hit Springfield in 2006, and are now made up of hundreds of LIUNA members. Since they were formed, teams have been mobilized to 14 disasters to help clear the way for emergency responders.
“We are so appreciative of Springfield Clinic for their support of our mission as laborers to be there for our communities in times of need,” said Brad Schaive, LIUNA Local 477 Business Manager (pictured below). “This donation allowed us to purchase a new, fully stocked trailer with chainsaws and other equipment to help us clear the way for first responders and residents during disasters. This new trailer is more compact, which will allow us to mobilize at full strength deeper into the disaster zone,” he continued.
