Thursday, May 23, 2013

This is what we union THUGGS do for smart young people

We give them millions of dollars in college scholarships.

The James R. Hoffa Memorial Scholarship Fund is celebrating its namesake's 100th birthday this year. Hoffa believed Teamster sons and daughters deserve the best education possible. The Fund was established in his honor in 2001. Since then, more than 1,500 students received $4.7 million in scholarships.

Applications have been submitted for this year's round of $10,000 scholarships, and the announcement of the winners will be made soon.

Last year, 31 students from across the U.S. and Canada received $10,000 scholarships. Another 50 were awarded $1,000 scholarships for the essays they wrote about the importance of unions.

Applications for this year's essay contest have yet to be mailed.

To participate, students must be the son, daughter or grandchild of an eligible Teamster member. For information about the Fund rules, click here.

This year for the first time a booklet has been publishing listing all the names of all the scholarship award winners. You can download the booklet here.

Remember, "THUGGS" stands for Those Helpful Union Guys and Gals.