Steelworkers at ATI in Harrison are Secret Santas, as they bought 39 bikes and helmets for Alle-Kiski Valley kids this Christmas.
The money was raised over the last two months, according to Bill Campbell, union grievance representative for the United Steelworkers Local 1196 in Brackenridge, which serves ATI’s steel mill just over the border in Harrison.
The bikes will be given to local children this week at the Salvation Army in Brackenridge.
Campbell, 61, of Lower Burrell, started the drive on his own seven years ago after overhearing two low-income kids saying how much they wanted bikes. Campbell found the kids’ names on a local “angel tree” and bought bikes for each.
Then the next year, there were more kids and more bikes.
And more steelworkers wanted to chip in, Campbell said.
“Some of these kids don’t have much,” he said. “When you’re a kid growing up, a bike is huge deal because there isn’t always the money to buy one.”
The steelworker’s generosity apparently was contagious.
Over the years, more steelworkers got involved as well as some ATI managers. This year’s flyers for donations were posted throughout the mill and union hall.
“We make decent money,” said Campbell. “And we are trying to pay it forward.”
This year, steelworkers and managers raised about $4,200. Eight people helped with the logistics, such as buying the bikes at the Walmart in the Pittsburgh Mills shopping complex in Frazer.
ATI employees also contributed heavily to a toy drive for a Stuff-A-Bus.
Dan Mochnaly, vice president of human resources for ATI’s Flat Rolled Products group, said, “We appreciate our employees’ generosity and are really proud to have ATI support the community in such a big way.”
