Recently, two UPS Members decided to move on to enjoy retirement. Between them, they have 75 years of Teamster Membership at UPS.

We'll start with the junior man first; he only had 35 years at UPS!

Steve Light spent 35 years at UPS as a package car driver. Steve was among the few who didn't come up through the part-time ranks to attain a full-time job. He was hired off the street as a full-time driver. While working at UPS, Steve amassed 32 years of safe driving through every type of weather Mother Nature threw at him!

Steve and his wife, Kelli, have two children, a boy and a girl. Once Kelli retires, they will have the opportunity to travel.

Steve enjoys the outdoors; they have previously camped and enjoy all things related to going to the beach. Steve also enjoys working in the yard. He played softball when he was younger, but now he leaves that to the younger guys. He still enjoys watching the game along with other sports.

Looking back, Steve reflected: "It's been great working with my Union brothers and sisters at UPS; the Teamsters were always there when I needed them.

Steve accepts his retirement watch from UPS Business Agents Dave Licht (L) and Jason Kraft.

Mike Ritter retired from UPS after 40 years. He started as a part-time employee in the Harrisburg hub, then moved to a package car driver job, where he spent 30-plus years, before returning to an inside job, where he finished his career. While working as a driver, Mike mentored new drivers to help ensure they worked safely.

Mike is a second-generation Teamster; his father worked at the former Halls Motor Transit. Mike played American football in Italy for two years; when he returned to the States, his father recommended UPS, and the rest is history!

Mike and his wife Kelley have two daughters. Kelley is a special education teacher and plans to work for a few more years before joining Mike in retirement. When her day comes, they'll travel and then pick and choose what to do in retirement. Mike enjoys hunting and fishing and plans to start playing golf again.

Reflecting on his time as a Teamster at UPS, Mike commented: "Remember, a planned day is a safe day, and your biggest stop of the day is when you safely arrive home! It's been a pleasure working with the Teamsters; they've helped a lot over the years. Remember to keep your head up and not let the company beat you down."

Mike's all smiles after receiving his retirement watch from Dave and Jason

From everyone at Local 776, enjoy your retirement, gentlemen! Enjoy it for as many years as it took you to earn it!

Local 776 participated in the Susquehanna Chapter-American Truck Historical Society’s annual truck show earlier this year. Many of the trucks were retired freight trucks from Union carriers of the past, allowing show spectators to view and compare vehicles from different eras. Many members own, restore, and maintain antique trucks, but ownership is not required; it is just an interest in them and meeting with others who share that interest. Local 776 ABF Members, the father-son duo of Jeff and Kraig Keller, currently serve as the club’s Treasurer and President, respectively.

At the time of the show, Local 776 donated $500 to the club in support of their activities. Fast forward to the Christmas season: in a show of Holiday Spirit, the club matched the Local’s monetary contribution and donated $1000 to Penn State Health Children’s Hospital to be directed to the Four Diamonds Organization. Four Diamonds covers 100 percent of all medical expenses related to cancer care not covered by insurance for eligible Four Diamonds children, so families never pay a single bill. Because of the community’s steady and generous support, Four Diamonds has assisted 100 percent of the childhood cancer patients treated at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital.

The York County Prison Maintenance shop participated in the 10^th annual Marine Corps Toys for Tots collection drive to help support Radio Station 96.1 SOX Toy Challenge on the Wrightsville Bridge.

Local 776 Member Todd Fritz parked his 5-ton Army truck in front of the prison, hoping to fill it with toys. Donations of new toys in original packaging were accepted. Local 776 bought two skids that held Toys for Tots donation boxes filled with toys to help the collection drive. With a full truck, Todd delivered the toys to the Wrightsville Bridge on December 10^th.

Since its creation, the Toy Challenge on the Bridge has collected almost 74,000 new toys and over $130,000 for the York and Lancaster County U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.

(L-R) Local 776 Trustee Dee Patel, BA Spencer Dearth, Organizer Ashley Cerzullo, BAs Dave Vrona and Shane Weaver, and YCP Member Todd Fritz helped fill the truck at YCP.

The December 2024 Local 776 Review incorrectly lists the Local 776 Golf Tournament winners in the various categories. The correct winners are listed below. We apologize for any confusion this caused.

Championship Flight:

1^ST Place: Robert Ingersoll-DCP, Jason Hammer-Retired DCP, Bob Fry-Retired DCP, and Scott Grieb-DCP.

2^nd Place: Ryan Colatta-DCP, Lucas Udelhoven-DCP, Nate McKillop-DCP, and Randy Pope-Retired.

3^rd Place: Joseph Reisinger-Perry County, Shelby Anderson-Perry County, Brian Weidow-Perry County, and Marshal Witmer-Perry County.

Second Flight:

1^st Place: Lars Kline-ABF, Bruce Felty-ABF, Tim Hoffman-ABF, and Tyler Leber-ABF

2^nd Place: Brad McIndoe-Retired, Tom Bauer-Retired, Ryan Chataginer- UPS, and Kenneth Geesey-Retired

3^rd Place: Kevin Milakovic-ABF, James Mackey-Retired, Duane Green-ABF, and Jeff Kennedy-ABF.

Third Flight:

1^st Place: Jim Handley-Retired, Mike Baten-Retired, Lynn Whitesel-Retired, and Robert Rife-Retired.

2^nd Place: Ron Mangus-Retired, Kirby Booher-Bimbo Bakeries, Bill Blair-ABF, and Larry Whitekettle-Bimbo Bakeries.

3^rd Place: Harold Snyder-Retired, Dave Nelson-Retired, Gary Martin-Retired, and Vince Warford-Retired.

Closest to the Pin #3: Abel Salazar-ABF

Closest to the Pin #7: Ron Madison-Retired

Closest to the Pin #13: Dylan Border-ABF

Closest to the Pin # 16 Kevin Snelbaker-UPS

Longest Drive Ladies Tees: Shelby Anderson-Perry County

Longest Drive Senior Tees: Kevin Smith-Retired

Longest Drive White Tees: Marshal Witmer-Perry County

50/50 Winner: Dave Bloss (UPS)

$500 Eagles Crossing Gift Card: Dave Bloss (UPS)

Continuing our Season of Caring, Season of Sharing, Local 776 held another Giftmas Event!

On Saturday, December 14, 2024, Local 776 hosted our annual Christmas for Kids Community Services Christmas Party. In conjunction with the Community Progress Council's WIC program, the party helps some of the area's most needy families during the holiday season. During the party, the kids received gifts and goodie bags from Santa and shared in the season. Santa and his "Elves" were busy ensuring everyone had a good time, and with the kids' smiling faces, it looked like Christmas!

"We are fortunate to have so much again this year, and it's important to help those in need share in the season. For some of these kids, this is their Christmas, and we try hard to help as many as possible," commented Local 776 President Ed Thompson. "I would like to thank the Christmas for Kids Party Committee Members and the Teamster Horsemen for all their hard work in putting this event together. Additionally, I would like to thank Bimbo Bakeries and Canteen Corp. for their donations to help make the party successful."

Everyone had a chance to meet Santa!

Big smiles for Santa!

Additional photos from the party are in the "Photo Gallery."

After our Children's Christmas Party, there were some extra presents left. The Local decided to help Santa with Christmas wishes by donating the toys to area agencies. BAs Matt Craig, Spencer Dearth, Dave Licht, Dave Vrona, and former BA now retired Dave Wolf and Organizer Ashley Cerzullo made the rounds of the various agencies delivering Christmas Joy. Here's a rundown of agencies we helped to create a brighter Christmas:

YWCA Access York: YWCA York provides emergency shelter for victims and their dependent children fleeing imminent danger.

Dauphin County Children and Youth Services: Dauphin County Social Services for Children and Youth is a public agency dedicated to the Safety, Permanency, and Well-being of children and families. 

New Hope Ministries: A Christian social service agency serving our needy neighbors and supporting their efforts toward stability.

Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children's Hospital: A hospital is no place for children, especially at Christmas time. As the only children's hospital between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia fully equipped to treat the most severely ill children, it is the region's pediatric healthcare leader. The Hershey Medical Center's Children's Hospital received toys to give the kids a brighter holiday.

Arsenal Road Logistics: Local 776 Members at Arsenal Road Logistics organized a toy drive with the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. Marine Toys for Tots' programs deliver joy and hope to America's disadvantaged children through the gift of a new toy or book.

Please see below for important information from the IBT concerning the Yellow Corp bankruptcy:

In what has become a yearly tradition at Local 776, Secretary-Treasurer Ron Hicks, Business Agent Spencer Dearth, and TForce Freight Union Steward Joshua Todd assisted the Dauphin County Office of Human Services in moving toys and other items to the Harrisburg Farm Show complex for their Annual Holiday Celebration for families in need. With the assistance of local businesses, corporations, and community partners, the Dauphin County Office of Human Services provides needy families with hundreds of gifts, including bicycles, toys, clothing, and food items. With a full trailer load to move, Josh Todd, a dockworker at TForce Freight, directed the loaders to stack the items high and tight to ensure all the items fit into one load. The logo on the Local 776 tractor-trailer, used for relief efforts and community events, says it all: "People helping People."

Spencer and Josh have a full load of goods.

2nd from right: Helen Spence – System of Care Community Coordinator, Spencer, and Josh gather with Dauphin County personnel.

Patty Beamer retired from UPS Gettysburg on November 1st after amassing 44 years of service! She started at UPS as a part-time employee loading and driving delivery vehicles. When her kids got older, she switched to the afternoon sort. While on that shift, she also covered the customer counter when needed. In 2006, when the current customer counter clerk retired, Patty moved to that job, where she remained until her retirement.

Patty is married to her husband Bob, and they have two boys. Now that she is retired, she'll have more time to devote to baking and cross-stitching. Patty and Bob also have a 3-leaf clover-shaped pond in their yard where they raise fish and water flowers. With the firepits close by, it's the perfect spot to unwind. But should the need arise to "get away," they have a cabin in Elk County that has been in the family since 1940.

 Looking back on her time as a Teamster, Patty commented: " Between the Teamsters and UPS, I was treated well; I have no regrets.

"From everyone at Local 776, congratulations on your retirement, Patty. May you enjoy every day of it!

Patty accepts congratulations and a retirement watch from BA's Jason Kraft (L) and Patrick Hollingshead. Patrick was Patt'y Union Steward before assuming a BA position.

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Bill Hawn recently retired from UPS after logging 37 years of service. Bill spent his career as a feeder driver for UPS, going up and down the road in the best and worst of daily conditions. During that time, he was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor, recognizing drivers with 25 years of safe driving. But Bill wasn't finished; he had amassed 36 years of safe driving before retiring.

Bill and his wife Jessica, who also works at UPS, have a daughter and two grandkids between them. While waiting for Jessica to retire from UPS, Bill plans to stay active and keep fit with home exercises. Once Jessica joins him in retirement, they plan on traveling.

When asked about his time at UPS, Bill replied, "It was a pleasure working with everyone there. When I started, I got to know the original UPS people from the 1960s, who were the first UPS hires when they started service in this area. I'm a small-town guy who came to Harrisburg to make something of himself, and it worked out."

From everyone at Local 776, Happy Retirement Bill, enjoy it; you earned it!

Local 776 BA Dave Licht (R) presents Dave with his retirement watch.

Santa had a busy day at the Children's Christmas Party last weekend. A steady stream of kids wanted to make their wishes known to the Big Guy. Even the big kids got in the holiday spirit and visited with Santa!

Local 776 Business Agent John Taylor (L) and YRC retiree Shawn Neeley make their wishes for Christmas known to Santa!

Additional party photos from Members have been added to the Photo Gallery. If you want to add yours, it's not too late; email your photos to info@teamsterslocal776.org!