CHILLIWACK – Despite the heat wave, CUPE 411 had lots of visitors at their tent for the Chilliwack Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 28.
This is the second year that the local, representing K-12 education support workers in Chilliwack, participated in the popular community event. CUPE 411 President Rod Isaac said that the local has been connecting with folks ‘slowly and surely.’
“We’re just talking common sense and sharing our values,” said Isaac. “By doing that, people see how closely our values are aligned with their own.”
One of the popular additions this year at the new CUPE 411 tent was the opportunity for children to create their own buttons. The local brought their button-making machine and children coloured on templates and left wearing their own creations.
The public really appreciated that CUPE 411 provided water. The local connected with Valley Water, a supplier in the community, who donated water and a dispenser for the day. Local 411 water bottles carried a message about the importance of education and were a hit with the hot and thirsty public.
CUPE 411 executive contributed again in a big way, with more members getting involved in this year’s event. Members helped with the spin-the-wheel game, which gave adults and children alike the chance to learn about the services provided by education support workers and CUPE. The executive and members talked to lots of kids and handed out prizes for correct answers.
“Many children already have a personal connection and knew the names of their school secretary or custodian,” said Isaac. “We want to educate the parents as well as the students about the support work CUPE members do in the district and what CUPE stands for.”
Isaac said that CUPE 411 executive members are “very positive, very pumped and very excited to do this again next year – and to grow within the community.”
