For generations, United Steelworkers Local 2251 has been more than a force on the shop floor – it’s been a pillar of strength in the community of Sault Ste. Marie. Through good times and bad, the Union has quietly ensured that local charities and organizations have the support they need to keep serving those who rely on them most.
While unions are often recognized for building industries and protecting workers, the ongoing efforts of Local 2251 remind us that they also help build something even more enduring: stronger, more compassionate communities. Giving to charities in your local community is important too because it helps those in need closest to the place you call home. It’s the core reason why USW Local 2251 continues to make significant donations to a variety of local causes, this according to Local 2251 President, Mike Da Prat.
“Since 2007, the members of Local 2251 have donated $1,391,039 to various enterprises in the local community,” said Da Prat. “We have had times in the Union where funds were down, or we were unable to contribute to the community as much as we’d like to. But that number shows our ongoing commitment to giving to local charities.”
Local donations help ensure that essential programs – from food banks and shelters to youth initiatives and healthcare service – can continue meeting the needs of neighbours and families right where you live. Supporting community charities keeps resources circulating locally, builds a strong sense of connection and compassion among residents, and creates a safety net for those facing hard times.
According to Da Prat, donations from the local helps support a wide range of local causes, from food banks to local area hospitals. For example, through the years 2021 to 2024, USW Local 2251 donated a total of $162,385 to Sault Area Hospital. Also, for the last several years, the Union has been preparing personal Christmas baskets and delivering dessert trays to residents of long-term care homes, investing $16,000 per year in the program designed to bring joy to individuals who don’t have family members to celebrate with during the holiday season. The Sunshine Foundation has also benefited from the generosity of USW Local 2251 members, receiving more than $30,000 to help support its programs.
More recently, the Union has channeled significant donations into local school breakfast programs, allocating $225,850 to various school boards since 2015.
“I’ve always had a soft spot for children,” said Da Prat. “What we need to remember is, every child that’s born in this world has dreams and aspirations. They should be entitled to them. One child should not be denied food because of where they’re from or where they find themselves. The breakfast program is a great way to ensure all children get fed no matter of their circumstances. The breakfast program is now one of the biggest programs we have at Local 2251.”
Other local charitable initiatives that receive funding from Local 2251 include the local Soup Kitchen, St. Vincent de Paul, Women in Crisis, Pauline’s Place, ARCH and the Salvation Army.
“We’ve given to a broad range of causes in the community,” said Da Prat. “We get all kinds of requests, and we can’t fill them all. Our members take pride in being able to help those in need.”
The ongoing generosity of USW Local 2251 speaks to a deeper truth about the role of unions in the local community of Sault Ste. Marie. Their support for Sault Ste. Marie’s charities isn’t driven by recognition or obligation – it’s rooted in a shared understanding that the strength of a city depends on the wellbeing of its people. By consistently investing in local causes, Local 2251 shows that the work of building doesn’t stop at the job site. It continues in every corner of the community, wherever hope and help are needed most.
Learn more about USW Local 2251. Visit them online here.