Hey APWU family,
This is Tony Rodriguez, your editor for the South Jersey Area Local. I’m reaching out to ask for your help in supporting two longtime members of our union family —Fran and Ann Friel— who’ve been hit hard by Hurricanes Helene and Milton down in Florida. These storms devastated their home and left them with little more than the clothes on their backs.
Hurricane Helene flooded their house with several feet of water, destroying almost everything they owned. Before they even had a chance to regroup, Hurricane Milton followed, adding insult to injury. These back-to-back disasters have left Fran and Ann in an incredibly tough spot.
As many of you know, Fran Friel is no stranger to the APWU. He served for years as the PA Postal Workers Union State President and started his journey at the Philly BMC Local before moving on to become an officer with the Lehigh Valley Area Local (LVAL). His wife, Ann Friel, was also an active rep with the LVAL. They’ve both dedicated years to supporting postal workers like us.
Now it’s our turn to step up for them.
I’m asking everyone in our South Jersey Area Local to consider donating to the GoFundMe that’s been set up to help Fran and Ann rebuild their lives. 100% of the funds will go directly to helping them cover their immediate needs—rebuilding their home, replacing lost possessions, and paying for temporary housing while they get back on their feet.
Even if you can’t contribute financially, sharing the GoFundMe link with your networks will go a long way. We’ve always been a strong, united community, and now is a time when we can show what that really means.
**Donate here**: GoFundMe: Support Fran & Ann Friel’s Hurricanes Recovery
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A Message from Vince Tarducci, APWU:
“As many of you may have known, Fran Friel was a long time APWU representative, including the PA Postal Workers Union State President. He started out of the Philly BMC Local serving on the Local EB and became an officer for the Lehigh Valley Area Local (LVAL). His wife Ann was also a member of the LVAL representing the members of the local for many years.
Thank you to everyone who has already donated, and to those who will. Together, we can help Fran and Ann rebuild after these devastating storms. Let’s stand united for two members who’ve always had our backs.
In Solidarity,
Tony Rodriguez
Editor, APWU South Jersey Area Local