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ibtlocal817

A Thank You, Hurricane Helene Response

Nov. 4th, 2024


Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

                As you all know Asheville, North Carolina was hit extremely hard by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.  As a result, I was contacted by the IATSE Disaster Response Team (Andrew “Roo” Oyaas) and asked if Local 817 could assist in transporting supplies with our tractor trailer.


Without hesitation the IATSE locals in New York and the East Coast locals put together a plan to have supplies delivered to Local 52 and Local 1 as drop off sites. Once everything got to IATSE Local 52 it was time to load the 817 trailer driven by Ed Deveraux and Mike Barron. Loading the trailer at Local 52 was Business Agent Kevin Gilligan, Rich Dolan and Steve Zuch. The trailer was nearly full when it left New York City. 

 

Next stop was IATSE Local 487 in Baltimore, Maryland. Our drivers were met by Secretary-Treasurer Sarah Fales who had a collection of donated supplies going onto the trailer to make the trip south.

 

Upon arrival in Asheville, NC the 817-trailer landed at Teamsters Local 61 to off load.  We were greeted by Secretary-Treasurer Brian Ball with open arms. Brian was extremely thankful for all our help and assistance. In addition, the IBT Disaster Response Co-Ordinator Renee Call was also at Local 61 and was grateful for the joint effort between the IATSE Locals and the Teamsters.

 

Special thanks to the Stagehands Local 1, Business Agents Paul Dean Jr, Joe Valentino Jr., Frank Lazarto and Admin Secretary Kurt Musser

 

Many thanks to IATSE Locals:

 

NYC IA Locals 306, 751, 798, 764 and 829

 

Boston IA Local 11 Pat Keogh and IA Local 481 New England

 

Asheville, NC Local 278 and IA Local 491

 

Philadelphia, PA IA Local 8

 

TV shows that participated and had swing trucks dropping off at Local 52:

Equalizer, Sirens, FBI, Gilded Age, Raising Kanan and Poker Face.

 

Walton Hauling and Warehouse donated a swing truck for all additional pick-ups operated by Frank Perry and Richard Banyai. Walton is owned by Allan and Tom Kharieh and is the oldest employer with Local 817 since the early 1920’s. Thank you to Allan and Tom for all you guys do.

 

Also, I would like to thank Tom Reilly from our dispatch office for all his help in coordinating the pick-ups and drop offs.

 

Lastly, a huge shout out and thank you to our trailer driving team Ed Devereaux and Mike Barron for always being available for anything and everything when needed. Thanks guys!

 

Fraternally,

Frank Connolly Jr.

Secretary-Treasurer







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