This is what we union thugs do with a signed Giants' baseball

Brother Joseph Munoz with the coveted baseball.

We raffle it off to raise money for our union sister who's fighting cancer.

Hector Sanchez, star of the World Champion San Francisco Giants, donated a signed a baseball to help US Airways shop steward Emily McKenzie. Local 856 in San Bruno, Calif., sent this email to its members:

Our Union sister Emily McKenzie needs our help. Emily is a member of Local 986 and works for US Airways in the Reno Res. Center. As a shop steward,  she helps members each and every day. It is because of support like hers that the Teamsters are now on the US Air property. 

Unfortunately, Emily has cancer, but like a true Teamster, she is fighting back! A week ago, she underwent a grueling 12-hour surgery. She made it through, but needs all the support she can get. Let's show Emily that her Teamster family cares! 

Giants' Star Hector Sanchez signed a baseball for Emily, and you can win it! 

The National League Champions San Francisco Giants have generously donated a baseball signed by Hector Sanchez to help Emily. So we're raffling it off for $5 a ticket. The money raised will go directly to help Emily with her day-to-day expenses.

(Locals 856 and 986 both represent United Airline Mechanics and related workers at San Francisco International Airport.)

The baseball was raffled off at Local 856's general membership meeting on Tuesday. Here's what happened:

Congratulations to Joseph Munoz who was the lucky winner of the signed Hector Sanchez baseball! We raised more than $800 for fellow Teamster Emily McKenzie who is suffering with cancer. The money will go directly to Emily to help her with her day-to-day expenses. Your generosity and willingness to help a fellow member in need exemplifies what being a Teamster is all about. And let's not forget to thank the WORLD SERIES CHAMPS SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS for so generously donating the signed baseball.

And remember, "thugs" stands for "Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals."