Local 332 members volunteered to hang Christmas lights for senior citizens who live at Liberty Towers. This is an annual 332 tradition to bring a little holiday sparkle to our elders’ lives.
Aaron Badillo | 3rd Year Residential Apprentice | Volunteer
Years of service in IBEW 332: 3
Volunteering at Liberty Tower: For me, we didn’t just light up Liberty Tower, we lit up the residents! At first I thought it might be weird to go through all the apartments to put lights on people’s balconies. Some of the residents probably could’ve hung their own lights, but some couldn’t. What seemed like a small deal to me was a big deal to them, and we brought a lot of Christmas joy to these seniors.
Importance of volunteering: I volunteer as much as I can. Giving back to the union that has given me so much is the least I can do. It’s important for us to have a presence in the community. It’s our home: We’re giving back and lifting people up. We’re going to do everything we can to keep the lights on and the smiles on. I hope more members volunteer; it’s a great way to have a direct impact on our community.
Person you most admire: Fellow member Michael Thurston! He got into the inside apprenticeship, and he didn’t let anything stop him. I think he applied three times and went above and beyond to shine. He also volunteers – when a member’s house burned down, he went out to help clean up. He’s a free spirit and just lives life.
Michael Thurston | 1st Year Inside Apprentice | Volunteer
Years of service in IBEW 332: Two: I started out in residential, and now I’m a first year inside apprentice.
Oddest job before becoming an electrician: I applied for a job on Craigslist and was told to just show up at 5am without knowing what I’d be doing. It turned out it was doing security and crowd control for an all-day Ozzie Osbourne event. At the end of the gig, Ozzie threw a bucket of water on me.
Importance of volunteering: I’ve probably put in 100 hours of volunteer time with the local. Unions have a bad name, and it gives the community a positive impression when they see us out there. My time is worth more than money, and you get something in return for helping people. Finally, there’s a sense of camaraderie with the other member volunteers – I see the same ones over and over.
Importance of being union: It’s about being a part of something bigger than yourself. Not only do we have good wages, healthcare, and pensions, but it’s about being among my union brothers and sisters.
Person you most admire: Aaron Badillo, my fellow IBEW member! He’s just a really good guy. He’s also got the best beard, and I wish I could grow mine like that. LOL. But the bottom line is that I just admire his character.
