Heat and Frost Insulators News and Events

For Immediate Release
November 2, 2018

USA Sponsors Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge

First Shot Mentored Deer Hunt
Cambridge, Maryland — Twenty-three aspiring hunters gathered to learn how to pursue big game and provide food for themselves and their families at the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Oct. 26-27 during the refuge's inaugural First Shots deer hunt.

The hunt was sponsored by the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance (USA), Maryland Department of Natural Resources and National Wild Turkey Federation. More than 60 applications were received for the 23 available opportunities to be mentored by an experienced hunter and learn hunting basics including scouting, stand placement, biology and field care. The individuals selected were all new adult hunters who did not have a support network to help them develop a new lifelong passion.

Applicants were also eager to harvest their first deer, and at press time the apprentice hunters had harvested a total of 17 deer, with additional hunting opportunities set for later in the week.

In September of 2017, the USA partnered with the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to conduct a sika and white-tailed deer population survey using infrared imaging technology. The long-term goal was to provide necessary population data to the refuge—allowing for more opportunities for sustainable deer hunting.

USA put out a call to local members asking them to consider volunteering as a mentor. International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 24 Training Coordinator Brian Cavey wasted no time applying to be a mentor.

“I was honored and privileged to take part in Maryland’s Mentored Deer Hunting Program,” said Cavey. “What a way to introduce new hunters to the wonderful world of the outdoors and hunting.”

During the week of November 12, the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers and the Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund will celebrate the U.S. Department of Labor’s National Apprenticeship Week, which is a week dedicated to show appreciation and bring awareness to apprenticeship programs.

Members of HFIAW Local 86 have been working at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Gallatin Combustion Turbine Plant since October 2017. The plant, which houses four GE and four Westinghouse units that have a combined generation capacity of 600 megawatts, is located adjacent to the Gallatin Fossil Plant in Gallatin, Tenn.

Money raised from two recent Central States Conference fundraisers will benefit the Breath of Life Foundation. The sixth Annual Motorcycle and Car Rally, which took place on Aug. 11 in West Virginia at space donated by Harley Davidson, raised over $15,000. Donations are still coming in from the 10th Annual Mesothelioma Charity Golf Tournament that occurred on Sept. 10.

The 18th Annual New York/New England States Conference Charity Golf Tournament took place in June at the Capitol Hill Golf Course in Albany, N.Y. The annual tournament takes place the day before the New York/New England States Conference Meeting. So far this year, the tournament has raised more than $28,500.

The 16th Annual Roger Hamilton Memorial Mesothelioma Fund Raiser took place on June 25 at the Napa Valley Country Club, with 136 golfers in attendance. More than $50,000 was raised at the California golf outing fundraiser to battle mesothelioma this year. Since its inception, the tournament has raised over $1.5 million with all proceeds going directly to support The Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America.

In early June, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) held the 32nd Annual Labor of Love Tournament and Softball Slam event in Philadelphia, PA. Members from all 13 of the affiliated building trades gathered for the three-day event and helped raise funds for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) Foundation.

The Insulation Industry International Apprentice and Training Fund (IIIATF)’s 43rd Annual Joint Apprentice Conference (JAC) took place in California in late June congruently with the Master Apprentice Competition (MAC) and the bestowing of the 2018 W. F. Pablo Bleiker Award. 

Attention Brothers and Sisters:

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of working men and women. It was started by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a United States federal holiday in 1894. Originally, Labor Day gave workers the chance to campaign for better working conditions and pay.