THE HEART OF THE UA
Published May/June 2009
“Service is the rent we pay for living. It is the very purpose of life and not something you do in your spare time. —Marian Wright Edelman
Breast Cancer Angels Soar In Southern California, there is an organization called Breast Cancer Angels, which has lifted the spirits of thousands of women who are recovering from or affected by breast cancer. Faye Dietiker, cancer survivor and wife of Local 250 Air Conditioning Curriculum Training Coordinator Don Dietiker, is the founding director of this all-volunteer on-profit organization formed nine years ago. The mission of Breast Cancer Angels is to provide financial and emotional assistance to women and their families while they are undergoing breast cancer treatment. Since they began in 2000, the Angels have put over $1.7 million back into the community.
The volunteers are what enable this organization to thrive, and that volunteerism does not end with those who have day-to-day con- tact with the patients. It reaches out to those who step in to make a difference. In 2008, Breast Cancer Angels was the recipient of a large donation to purchase a five-bedroom home in Orange County where women could live rent free while in treatment. The goal was to keep these women from becoming homeless while they were battling breast cancer. The women moving into this house had lost everything.
Many had been living in cars, motels and shelters awaiting stable housing to complete their breast cancer treatments, and in some cases, to move into hospice care. The addition of this house to the organization was heartfelt and has already made a huge impact on the lives of these women.
In April, UA signatory contractor Craig Steinmetz, owner of Diversified Thermal Services in Anaheim, California, followed in his father’s footsteps and was an example of how UA members and contractors can make a difference. Craig’s son Steven, a junior in high school, joined UA Apprentice Mark Flicker, Tradesman Brian Draper, Journeymen Mike Cook and Buck Lyons, Tradesman Gary Tosunian, and Journeymen Brian Simmer and Mike Taeubel on a Saturday to volunteer their services. The craftsmen installed a complete new air conditioning and heating system at the “Angel House.” All of the equipment was donated by Diversified Thermal Services.
Breast Cancer Angels founder and director Faye Dietiker stated, “We would like to thank Craig for his ongoing support and recognize this fine group of men for helping make our ‘Angel House’ a very comfortable home.”
Brother Steinmetz’s deed did not go unnoticed, and it spurred some to say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” The support of this program in the Steinmetz family started with Craig’s father, retired Chief Refrigeration Business Agent Jim Steinmetz, who donated all of the proceeds he acquired each Christmas from playing Santa Claus. These proceeds amounted to roughly $12,000 a season.
The organization started with six women sending in $20 a month. Today, several large fundraising events are planned each year, which are supplemented by other organizations’ and individuals’ fundraising for the Angels as well. The Angels are fortunate to have a corporate sponsor that pays its overhead. This enables the Angels to turn over1 00 percent of the donations to the women in need. Currently, the organization is assisting 75 women in four counties.
There are 56 children who are part of these families who benefit as well. The assistance the Angels provide includes a food program, emergency housing cost assistance, the distribution of clothing and other needed gifts, assistance with medical co-pays and COBRA costs, home healthcare, and assistance with final expenses. In addition, the organization has started a special scholarship fund, which has provided funds for 15 young people whose lives were affected by their mothers’ breast cancer. Moreover, there is a second-opinion fund, social and legal assistance, holiday parties and, most importantly, an ever-ending stream of emotional and spiritual support.
On October 9 2008, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez visited the Angel House and was very moved by the stories of the residents. On April 26, 2009, Faye Dietiker was honored with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for “Improving the Lives of Women and Girls.”
The Angels are on track to provide over $300,000 in financial assistance again in 2009. This organization has touched so many lives, from the patients who have benefited from its support, to the volunteers who have helped make it all possible. Faye stated, “We can all be angels here on earth—we just need to reach out and offer our hearts.
