Brothers and Sisters,
There are times when we must unite not only as members of a union, but also as one family. Today, one of our own, Theodoros “Teddy” Bolkas, needs us more than ever. Teddy’s 6-year-old daughter, Emily Marie, is bravely fighting Stage 4 Rhabdomyosarcoma—a rare and aggressive cancer. For three long weeks, Emily was in the hospital, and now she faces months of outpatient treatment. Through it all, Teddy and his wife Heather have shown incredible strength, but the challenges they face are overwhelming. Heather has left her job to care for Emily, and Teddy is working only a day or two each week so he can be by Emily’s side and care for their younger daughter, Daisy. Their world has been turned upside down.
In this moment, we have the power to help. By donating vacation time, we can give Teddy the gift of time with his family and help ease their financial burden. Your generosity will remind the Bolkas family that they are not alone, and that our union stands with them in solidarity and hope.
If you wish to help, please fill out this vacation donation form and return it by Monday, February 23, 2026. You can fax it to the union office at 631-569-4010, email it to me at sschmitt@ibew589.org, or give it to your Union rep. Whether you can donate a week, days, or even one single day, every contribution makes a difference. If you are out of single days but still wish to give, just let us know the week from which you are taking.
Thank you for showing what it means to be union strong. Your support will make a real difference for Teddy, Heather, Emily, and Daisy.
In Solidarity,
Steven Schmitt,
President, IBEW L.U. 589