Real Ranger: Steelworkers and the school supply drive

School is around the corner. And that means the United Steelworkers are starting their school supply drive. "The community supports us, so we want to support the community as much as we can," explained Jessica Rootes. She’s from Local 2705 Women of Steel at Hibtac.

This year, they’ve expanded it beyond Hibbing, Chisholm, and Cherry. "Jess reached out to both facilities, to see if wanted to help out Range wide, not just three schools, and go Grand Rapids to Aurora," shared Amy Hutkowski, who is from Local 6860 Women of Steel at Utac.

You can help out by buying frog hangers at some of the local grocery stores. All of the proceeds help the supply drive. Something they figure is needed now more than any other year, due to COVID.

"It’s important to me. Not everybody around here is as fortunate," said Chad Van Reese, from Local 2705 Women of Steel and Next Gen. "We have the resources to give that help."

"I know teachers, and that funding has gone down. Teachers struggle to get enough supplies. We’re happy to support the teachers also, in that respect," added Tawnya Gustafson, from Local 2660 Women of Steel out of Keetac.

They are excited to be working side by side with their union brothers and sisters again, after a long year of being apart.

There are also going to be gate drives at Minntac and Keetac. And the steelworkers will be going to small businesses asking for donations.

If you’d like to help, you can send a check to Women of Steel, Local 2705. Their address is 115 Lake Street, Chisholm, MN 557919