On December 10, 2021, a violent, long-tracked tornado moved across Western Kentucky, producing severe to catastrophic damage in numerous towns. Crossing through eleven counties during its lifespan, the tornado was exceptionally long-tracked, traveling165miles.

With the Christmas season in full swing Local 776 member Rich Stover and his wife Linda were stunned as the amount of destruction unfolded before their eyes on the local television news station. While talking about the situation and that something needed to be done Linda and her friend Lisa Weiss decided to act. Lisa, who had previously worked with Charity in Action contacted the Emergency Management Agency in KY and received a list of needed supplies, from hand tools, power tools, and household clean-up supplies to generators, work lights, extension cords, and wheelbarrows. Lisa’s husband Tim, who is the Deputy Fire Chief of the Bryn Athyn Fire Co, donated a bay at the firehouse for the donation storage and assembly area. Once word got around town by way of the local news media donations began to snowball, from both individuals and local businesses. As the number of donations continued to increase, Linda went in search of a truck to move everything to KY. Here is where Rich got involved; the cost of renting a truck and having it driven to KY would have used almost all of the monetary donations collected, which Linda was hoping to provide to the relief agency in KY. Rich got Linda in touch with Local 776 President Ed Thompson, who didn’t hesitate to jump in with help. Ed agreed to supply the truck, the fuel, the tolls, and the driver; in this case, it would be Rich, to move the relief supplies to KY. The Warriors Watch motorcycle rider’s organization heard of the relief effort and offered a motorcycle and local police escort for a portion of the trip. Rich left PA with a fully loaded trailer on December 28^th. Upon arrival at a warehouse that was being used as a staging area for relief supplies, there was plenty of help to get the trailer unloaded and Rich on his way back home, arriving safely on December 30^th.

Commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson: When disaster strikes we are often called upon by the Red Cross for help in moving relief supplies. This was the first time that the relief effort was a “homegrown” endeavor. Rich and Linda, along with Linda’s co-organizer Lisa, did a commendable job in stepping up, getting the ball rolling, and working out the logistics of collecting, palletizing, loading, and finally getting the load where it was needed. I would also like to thank the many individuals and businesses that generously donated supplies to make this a successful relief effort.

The fire station bay quickly filled with donations

Someone remembered the kids!

A local business provided the use of a forklift to help load the truck

With a Police escort and the Warriors Watch leading the way Rich is ready to head for KY

A warehouse was being used by the local Emergency Management Agency to store, sort, and distribute the supplies

The workers had the truck quickly unloaded and sent Rich on his way back home!

The truck says it all!

On January 1, 2022, Local 776 Business Agent George Goodling retired from his long tenure with the Teamsters. George worked at YRC for 36 years and was a Steward for 21 years. George assumed his elected BA position at Local 776 in January of 2015 and was re-elected to two additional terms.

George has been married to his wife Brenda for 37 years and they have one son. They plan on slowly easing into retirement life, doing some traveling, heading to Florida to escape the PA cold and snow. A long-postponed trip to Italy is being planned, subject to Covid restrictions. After working as a BA for seven years George is planning on keeping his hand in labor by doing some volunteer work for the Labor Council. In addition, he plans to devote more time to woodworking and is putting together a small woodshop.

Asked for any parting words George commented: “It was an honor to work with everyone at Local 776, an honor to serve the members. The Local is in great hands and they never stop working for the members”.

The Officers and Agents of Local 776 honored George at a gathering shortly before he began retirement. Congratulations George, your presence at Local 776 will be missed. Best of luck, and enjoy retirement!

George, center, is presented with a plaque thanking him for his service, dedication, and loyalty to the members by Local 776 President Ed Thompson, (L) and Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks.

George's co-workers gathered to celebrate his retirement. From left: Organizer Ashley Cerzullo, BA's Spencer Dearth, John Taylor, Dave Vrona, Pres. Ed Thompson, BA's Mark Cicak, Shane Weaver, George, BA Mark Andreozzi, S/T Ron Hicks, and BA dave Wolf.

On behalf of the Officers, Agents, Staff, and myself, I would like to wish everyone a safe, and Happy New Year. As we turn the page on another year, do not look back on what could have, or should have been. Look forward with optimism and promise to a new year filled with opportunities!

Fraternally,

Ed Thompson,

President, Teamsters Local 776