The Ninth Annual Teamsters Local 179 Membership Picnic was held on Saturday, August 11 with hundreds of members and their families in attendance.

"Our annual membership picnic is always a great time.  It's a wonderful opportunity to talk with members in a fun, casual setting and gives us a chance to meet the families that our local and all organized labor strive to help every single day," said Local 179 President Tom Flynn.

Everyone enjoyed great food (including a popcorn wagon), beverages, music provided by DJ Brad of Limelight, face painting by Kerry Shelley and photos by MJ Photo Booth.  Kids could play on the water slide and have fun in the bounce houses.

A very special thank you to Jim Ridge of Ridge & Downes Attorneys at Law for once again sponsoring our raffle and providing all 44 raffle prizes as well as two $100 L.L. Bean gift cards and two $50 L.L. Bean gift cards for the first and second place winners of the bag tournament.  Some of the raffle prizes won included:  drones, American Girl dolls and accessories, doll houses, bikes, tricycles, a battery powered ATV, Lego sets, Nerf toys, Amazon Fire tablets, Beats headphones, Bluetooth speakers, and Xbox, Igloo coolers, Yeti coolers and seven televisions including the grand prize, a 58" UHD television.  Congratulations to Adam Wright and John Heyse for taking first place in the bags tournament and to second place winners Tony Miskanis and Alan Cordero.  Great job guys!  The Teamsters Local 179 Retiree Club held a 50/50 raffle with the winner taking home $345.  Under the beer tent $274 was collected in the tip jar for the Lamb's Fold Center for Women and Children located in Joliet.

Also attending this year's picnic was Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL), State Senator Pat McGuire, Lauren Underwood, Democratic candidate for Congress to represent the Illinois 4th District and Lauren Stahly Ferry, candidate for Will County Clerk.  Our thanks to all of you for your support of organized labor.

"I would also like to thank all of the volunteers who work so incredibly hard every year to make our picnic a success," said President Flynn.