MT. CLEMENS - Building trades union representatives contributed $4,800 to the operations of Care House, a facility that helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The money was donated Jan. 15 in the form of $25 Meijer gift certificates, and are used by clients at the facility for food, gasoline and personal items.

"Thank you all very much, I can't tell you how important these contributions are to what we do here," said Care House Executive Director Dorie Vazquez-Nolan to a group of building trades representatives. "Every year we find new ways to use these gift cards." She said some clients around Macomb County have financial difficulties and don't have transportation to Care House, but can offer someone with a car a $25 Meijers card in exchange for a ride.

Vasquez-Nolan said Care House conducted 474 interviews of domestic violence victims in conjunction with law enforcement in 2015 - "more families that we have ever seen," she said.

Building trades unions have been making donations to Care House for the past 17 years. "Helping people get access to these services, and making things a little easier for them, that's what we're all about," said Sheet Metal Workers Local 80 Business Manager Mark Saba.

AT THE PRESENTATION of Meijer gift certificates in front of Care House are (l-r) Care House Executive Director Dorie Vazquez-Nolan; Mark Saba, Sheet Metal Workers Local 80; Tim Ochalek, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 2; Charles Taormina, Local 80; Kevin Zimmerman, Operating Engineers Local 324; Dan Nixon, Plumbers 98; Jim Boyd, Heat and Frost Insulators Local 25; George Legree, Glaziers and Glassworkers Local 357; Ron Sarata, Pipe Fitters Local 636; Jimmy Horvath, Iron Workers Local 25; Ron Barnhart, Plumbers Local 98; Tim Mulligan, Local 80; Ken Rozinski, IBEW Local 58; Bryan Stowe, Local 58; Dave Saaristo, Michigan Painters DC 1M, and John Sape, DC 1M.