The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is recognized each year in May. During NAOSH, health and safety committees host activities to educate and raise awareness on the importance of injury prevention in the workplace. Some committees go above and beyond to make the week as fun and meaningful as possible. The festivities at Tufts Coves Generating Station were no exception.
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 1928 members and other employees of Nova Scotia Power banded together during the event in support of Veterans Emergency Transition Services (VETS) Canada. Spearheaded by former veteran-turned IBEW 1928 member Pete Cool, the group hosted a ‘Dunk Tank’ and 50/50 raffle draw to raise funds.
To sweeten the pot, IBEW Local 1928 and Nova Scotia Power also made contributions to the fundraiser. Local 1928 Business Manager Jim Sponagle applauded Cool, who also chairs the IBEW First District Veterans Forum. “Whether it’s promoting second career opportunities to recently discharged vets, or spearheading fundraisers like this to assist veterans in other ways, he is a champion for the cause.”
Collectively, the group raised a total of $2,900 for VETS Canada. IBEW Local 1928 also donated a new guitar to the VETS Canada Guitars for Vets, a program that provides vets and still-serving members with a guitar and online/volunteer lessons. Their mission, put the healing power of music in the hands of heroes.
“Alongside our partner employer, Nova Scotia Power, IBEW Local 1928 was proud to contribute to this cause,” added Sponagle. “VETS Canada offers valuable services to our veterans and we’re grateful for the work they do.”
From left to right: Craig Anderson (Assistant Business Manager, IBEW Local1928), Debbie Lowther (Chair and Co-founder, VETS Canada), Pete Cool (First District Veterans Forum Chair), Jim Spongale (Business Manager, IBEW Local 1928)
About the IBEW and IBEW Local 1928
IBEW Local 1928 represents more than 1500 men and women working across various sectors throughout Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
About Nova Scotia Power
“Nova Scotia Power provides safe and reliable electricity to communities across Nova Scotia. They provide 95% of the generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power to approximately 540,000 residential, commercial, and industrial customers.” (Nova Scotia Power)
About VETS Canada
“VETS Canada began in 2010 as a grassroots movement when Jim Lowther, a veteran himself, realized that there were veterans slipping through the cracks. These veterans had lost their families, were living in the streets in high-risk situations. Jim and his wife, Debbie, formed a small team in Halifax, Nova Scotia to seek out and help homeless and at-risk veterans with a view to helping reintegrate them into civilian life.” (VETS Canada)