Staff and management of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) kicked off this year’s headquarters United Way campaign with stories of some of the Community Services Agency’s emergency assistance clients and how important the help provided was to these working families. The IBEW has also adopted two union families for the Christmas holidays, both of which have experienced unemployment and serious health issues affecting their income to the point that they are now struggling with basic necessities. “We feel we want to continue to give funds during the United Way Campaign but also to have more direct impact on people needing help”, said Carolyn Williams, Director of the Civic and Community Engagement Department at IBEW.  “It really brings it home when you volunteer directly with folks impacted by various problems,” added Len Shindel, chief OPEIU Local 2 steward. Staff members volunteered at the kickoff meeting to help come up with plans to donate their time on work projects helping members of the surrounding community. For several years, IBEW has been the leader within the United Way Labor Division for most funds raised, last year totaling $56,751.