Both as an individual Yukoner and as president of the Yukon Employees’ Union, I was heartened to see the man who calls himself The Dread Pirate Roberts taking positive, proactive action to help alleviate the hunger and food shortages in our community.
His unselfish action and, indeed, the actions many Yukon people take throughout the year reflect our community’s commitment to improving the living conditions of our neighbours.
YEU is happy to contribute to the Whitehorse Food Bank each year when we host our Human Rights Day Open House.
At that event, a donation is made on behalf of each and every person who drops by, even for a moment.
The union then matches the accumulated amount, and turns the money over to the food bank.
In 2009, the total benefit to the food bank was $1,000. More money was raised by individual union members and community guests through direct donations.
Friday, the union hall will again be open to the public from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. It is located at the junction of Fourth and Second avenues (across from the Westmark Klondike).
Everyone, including Dread Pirate Roberts, is welcome to join us for snacks and refreshments, entertainment and camaraderie and to again raise money to help fight hunger.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for their health and well-being and that of their families, including food.
Join us in helping spread the word about what each of us can do to improve the rights, freedoms and living conditions of people throughout the world.
Laurie Butterworth, president
Yukon Employee’s Union