United Way Honors Edmonds Machinist For Service

EVERETT — The United Way of Snohomish County has honored a Machinists Union member from Edmonds for his contributions to the community.

Chris Louie, who is a member of Machinists Union District Lodge 751, received the United Way’s “Spirit of Labor” award at the organization’s banquet in September.

“Chris is the spirit of labor,” said Machinists District President Tom Wroblewski, who presented the award. “Whenever there is a need, Chris is there to help make a difference and build a better community. Volunteering is a way of life for Chris.”

Louie was honored by the White House in both 2009 and 2010 for his outstanding community service. So far this year, he has volunteered in support of Northwest Harvest, Volunteers of America, the Salvation Army and rescue missions in both Everett and Tacoma.

Louie has also helped build wheelchair ramps with other members of District Lodge 751’s Machinists Volunteer Program this year, and he took part in the annual Books and Backpacks drive sponsored by the Employees Community Fund at Boeing.

“The best thing about volunteering is knowing someone will benefit from your assistance,” Louie said. “It’s why I’m active in the union and volunteer in the community.”

Louie lives in Edmonds and is a program coordinator with IAM/Boeing Joint Programs in Everett.

Originally formed in 1935 to represent hourly workers at Boeing, District Lodge 751 of the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers now represents some 29,000 working men and women at 45 employers across Washington, Oregon and California. In 2010, District 751 members gave nearly 6,200 hours of volunteer community service and raised more than $276,000 for Guide Dogs of America, the union’s charity of choice.

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