INDIANAPOLIS – Members and leaders of United Auto Workers Local 933 will later this month cut the ribbon on their donated cabin at the Indiana Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch for future law enforcement officers, at-risk kids, young witnesses, and victims of crime.
“UAW 933 was chartered in September of 1941″, said Gary Holmes, local president. “Since then, our brothers and sisters have been manufacturing good, quality products – as well as producing hardworking families, neighborhoods, and communities across Central Indiana.”
Holmes said members chose in 2021 to use their eight decades anniversary as a time to leave yet another lasting mark on Indianapolis and Indiana. With the help of Allison Transmission, Rolls Royce, Ryder Integrated Logistics, ABM, and Ford Indpls. HVC–where members work diligently each day—Local 933 steered proceeds from anniversary-related food, t-shirt, and silent auction sales toward the construction of a UAW Youth Cabin at the 62-acre youth training retreat.
“Now complete, the UAW Youth Cabin will house up to 10 students and two adult chaperones during overnights, weekend retreats, and weeklong camps. While at ISYR, teens can swim, fish, canoe, kayak, shoot archery, hike, handle docile K-9s, fly drones, and learn to safely ride ATVs,” said former Marion County Sheriff John Layton, ISYR founder and president emeritus. “They can also learn about personal safety, substance abuse, cyber security, bullying, violence, and other unfortunate issues facing today’s youth.”
Because the Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch is a statewide project, United Auto Workers from Anderson, Fort Wayne, Greencastle, Kokomo, and elsewhere also helped fund the $55,000 UAW Youth Cabin.
UAW active and retiree members, their families, and the general public will gather at ISYR from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29 to cut the ribbon on the historic, impactful donation. Dr. Everett Conrad, formerly from Brazil, Ind, will also open his donated cabin to family and community friends.
Both ribbon cuttings and a ceremonial groundbreaking on the training retreat’s Joyful Manna Peace Chapel, donated by ISYR Chaplain Phil Ping of Indianapolis, will be part of a new Grandparents’ Day annual celebration at ISYR.
Grandkids will be encouraged to participate in their unique ways by sheriffs and deputies. In addition to pumpkin pie and apple cider, K-6 students will be given free pumpkins and paints to mark the season. This will be the third year for the Sheriffs’ Pumpkin Painting Party, which this year will be celebrated as part of Grandparents’ Day to conserve donations. Trick-or-Treat costumes are not necessary but are encouraged and welcomed.
For more information on the ribbon cutting, groundbreaking, and pumpkin event, UAW’s Holmes said to call ISYR directly at 317-460-4242.
