Sacramento Valley Union Labor Bulletin

Owned and Published by the Sacramento Central Labor Council and the Sacramento-Sierra’s Building & Construction Trades Council, official councils of the AFL-CIO

Union members and friends continued an annual tradition of bringing gifts to the special needs students at the Ralph Richardson Center, arriving on a Metropolitan Fire District truck. - Photos courtesy of Sacramento CLC
LABOR BULLETINSLIDER

Labor’s Christmas events bring joy to children, again

Labor Bulletin

By Elsa Swanson

Each year at the holidays, the Labor Council and its partners run Operation Christmas Basket to support more than 180 union families in need.

This year, the long-running tradition helped provide grocery store gift cards, as well as toys and gifts for more than 388 children.

“Operation Christmas Basket is one of the most important events we do each year, and one of my favorites,” said Sacramento Central Labor Council executive director Fabrizio Sasso. “It’s a way for our family of labor to come together to show our care and solidarity, and it delivers instant joy to so many kids.”

For more than 50 years, this meaningful event has been a proud collaboration between IBEW Local 340, NECA, and the Sacramento Central Labor Council, embodying the true spirit of solidarity, generosity, and union family.

The Sacramento Central Labor Council has also traditionally surprised the children at the Ralph Richardson Center each year with a special visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who arrive riding in on a fire truck provided by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. Santa and Mrs. Claus then greet each child with a stuffed toy, spreading joy as he sings and dances to Christmas songs, creating unforgettable holiday memories for the children and their families.

“This crew works just as hard on this toy and joy-giving project as they do on any political drive,” said Patty Paterson of the event on social media.

Paterson has taken on the role of Mrs. Claus for years.

“200% work and heart-wrenching love and respect for the kids and the amazing teachers,” she added. “Very proud to be part of this special day every year.”

Sasso added that both events were organized by the Labor Council’s Teresa Villasenor.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who contributed to the Sacramento Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO & IBEW Local 340 annual Operation Christmas Basket,” Sasso said. “Because of your generosity and solidarity, many union families in need will experience a brighter holiday season, and their children will have toys to open and smiles to share this Christmas.

This is solidarity and unionism in action—showing up for one another, lifting our families, and living our values beyond the workplace.

A very special thank you to Teresa Villasenor for organizing everything and making this operation run smoothly. Your leadership and dedication are truly inspiring.”

The Community Services Committee accepts ongoing contributions to support these programs year-round, as well as other projects throughout the year that assist union families. If you would like to contribute, please email teresa@sacramentolabor.org.