Upstate 1199 members who live near Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse came together at a series of events in January to honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Dr. King has always spoken on the injustices of laborers,” said Angela Haynes, CNA at Elderwood at Williamsville, near Buffalo, who attended the luncheon to honor those whose work impacts the lives of workers and the Buffalo community. “I was so impressed with the people nominated. It was an honor to see and feel the passion in their fight to help others,” she added.

Rochester members hosted a celebration where their state Senator Jeremy Cooney delivered a keynote speech. The event also commemorated the life of Bruce Popper, the retired 1199 Vice President who passed away in 2022.

In Syracuse, 1199ers got up early on Marting Luther King day to participate in the joint labor and community day of service in honor of the great civil rights leader. Volunteers delivered warm clothes, sandwiches and toiletries to people in need in the local community.