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THE DELEGATE 8 WEDNESDAY • OCTOBER 1, 2014 NATCtoberfest 2014: NCF's Cra Beer Tasting Like giving back to local communities? Like beer? Tonight, during the Reloaded Solidarity event at The Pourhouse, NCF is holding a sold-out, private tasting of local cra brews. The charity has raised $10,000 from this event alone! Participants will sample different beers and learn the art of cra brewing with five local breweries representing the best of Minnesota. Specialty food pairings will be served, and all attendees will receive a commemorative glass and handmade NATCA Flight Paddle (pictured). The flight paddles were created specifically for this event by Shawn "Fish" Noland (SCT), John Lesnak (ZOB), Jerr y Nash (SRQ), and Roger Alcock. The Reloaded event is itself a NCF fundraiser, with $10 from each ticket purchased going to the Foundation. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity If you attended the Denver Convention in 2012, you'll remember NCF's Show Your Roots campaign that benefited Habitat for Humanity. The second annual Show Your Roots campaign has been just as successful! Individuals, whole facilities, and areas within facilities have sponsored 100 trees for Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity envisions a Twin Cities region where every family can own a home in a healthy neighborhood that supports good jobs and education for all. The organization is best known for three programs that meet that goal. The first is the well-known Homeownership Program in which volunteers build and rehab simple, quality homes in partnership with low-income families and the community. Twin Cities Habitat preserves homeownership by helping homeowners with the costs of maintaining their houses through their "A Brush of Kindness Program," and assists families who are facing foreclosure or who have fallen behind in their mortgage payments through their "Mortagage Forclosure Prevention Program." A fourth program, Twin Cities' Veterans Initiative, offers support through Habitat programs and provides a way for veterans to connect with fellow service members and their communities. In November 2012, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity became the first nonprofit in Minnesota to acquire Yellow Ribbon status, an accreditation by the VA to provide services to military families. NATCA CHARITABLE FOUNDATION NCF 5 ( K ) FUN RUN CHARITY SPOTLIGHT This year marks a very important milestone for an organization that has made a huge difference in communities across the nation. The NATCA Charitable Foundation (NCF) is commemorating its 20th anniversary, and Convention is the perfect place to celebrate. "I can't think of a better time to celebrate our 20-year anniversary and to thank NATCA members for their generosity than the biennial convention," NCF president Elena Nash said. "NCF has contributed to so many local charities, improving the lives of countless people over the last two decades. This sort of impact would never have been possible without our Union brothers and sisters who have donated their time and money to make their communities better places." NCF, a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, is a 100 percent volunteer organization with an operating expense ratio of less than five percent since 1998. In 2012, NCF was proud to exceed the $1 million mark and has been going strong ever since. In honor of this momentous anniversary, NCF has pumped up its efforts around Convention. As this issue went to press, NCF had collected nearly $10,000 in donations to benefit Finnegans Community Fund, which helps feed hungry people throughout the Midwest. We are excited to publish the updated total in Friday's issue of The Delegate! Of course, no national NATCA event would be complete without an NCF silent auction. This year's auction will run from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday. Items will be available to pick up on Friday. Bid high and oen. It is, aer all, for charity! Happy birthday, NATCA Charitable Foundation, and keep up the good work! O n Tu e s d a y m o r n i n g , N ATC A C h a r i ta b l e Foundation hosted the NATCA Challenge Five(K) fun run on Nicolette Island. Participants were treated to beautiful views of Minneapolis from the banks of the Mississippi River. The start of the race was just a mile from the Hilton, and both runners and walkers joined in the race to support NCF. The run is a new venture for NCF. According to NCF president Elena Nash, "We've never done a 5k before. We did a mountain bike excursion in Hawaii, but it wasn't a race. We have a lot of NATCAvists who are sports and exercise-minded and wanted to do something with a healthy atmosphere outdoors that takes advantage of Minneapolis' beautiful landscape." Members from all over the country participated, even some who aren't at Convention! According to Nash, the "virtual" run has been very popular. Members can run or walk a 5k at home with friends, colleagues, or a team and raise money for NCF. First, second, and third place men and women, first place team, best team name, and most money raised received prizes, but all participants walked away with an NCF bandana and participation medal. Check tomorrow's issue of The Delegate for a list of winners! Proceeds from the race are going to support several Minneapolis-area charities including Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity, Finnegans Community Fund, Dorothy Day House, Second Harvest Heartland, and Volunteers of America.

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