Author: artefact_admin

October 2, 2018 – IBEW Local 103 proudly participated in the American Cancer Society’s 26th annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” in Boston on Sunday, September 30th. The event drew approximately 30,000 men and women from throughout the region and raised more than $1.7 million to fund breast cancer research, support services, and early detection.

Team Local 103 was comprised of more than 50 members, family, and friends, who joined in the 5 mile walk, or optional 2 mile walk. This year, several traveling members from other locals also joined with Local 103. The team effort was led by the Local 103’s Health Benefit Plan Wellness Program Coordinator Kaitlyn Gambino Sherman, RN. She reported that most participants opted for the 5-mile walk, which began at the DCR Hatch Shell at 8AM and wound around the Charles River.

“Many of our members had powerful and personal stories about breast cancer, which served as motivation for their walking in the Making Strides event,” Kaitlyn said. “Participation in the walk not only provides great funding to support the fight against breast cancer, but also builds further awareness and the importance of regular check-ups and early detection.”

More than 700 lives to be saved with blood donations!

April 28, 2018 – On Tuesday April 10, 2018, the participants of the Local 103 IBEW Health Benefit Plan came together in support of the Greater Boston community, as we exceeded our goal of more than 225 units of blood donated at the 7th Annual Blood Drive and Wellness Event. The blood donations will save over 700 lives, according to the American Red Cross!

“We are very grateful for the generosity of our members, participants, and the local community for helping make the 2018 Wellness Event the most successful to date,” said Kaitlyn Gambino Sherman, RN, Wellness Coordinator for the Health Plan’s Wellness Program. “We would like to thank the many first-time donors who came out to support their community.”

Special appreciation goes to each of the health care and wellness organizations who participated in this year’s event. Through their dedication and involvement, our participants learned more about their own health as well as being provided important information related to daily healthy living. Complimentary diagnostic exams and health screenings were provided to many of the attending Health Plan participants. Participating organizations and related services they provided, included:

The American Red Cross – Blood Donations
AllOne – Smoking Cessation
Bone Density Screenings
Blue Cross Blue Shield – the Health Plan’s medical network provider
Delta Dental – the Health Plan’s dental network provider
Davis Vision – Eye Exams
Elliott Physical Therapy – Physical Assessments
Interactive Health Services – Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and BMI Screenings
IMPACT Melanoma – Facial Skin Cancer Screenings
Novo Nordisk – Diabetes Education
Quincy Hearing – Hearing Exams
South Shore Smiles – Oral Mouth Exams

On behalf of the American Red Cross, the Health Benefit Plan Wellness Team, IBEW Local 103 and NECA Boston Chapter, thank you to all who participated in this year’s event.

###

In the coming months, the Trust Funds Office will look forward to keeping you informed of upcoming Wellness Program events. The annual “Couch to 5K” program will begin in July with a weekly exercise series of training walks and runs. This will be in preparation for a Wellness inspired 5k event in the fall. Please also mark your calendar for the 2018 “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk” on September 30th.

Event to be held at the following time, date, and location:
Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 10:30 AM to 6:00 PM (EDT)
Boston Harbor Yacht Club
1805 Columbia Road, Boston, MA 02127

History:
In December 2013, Michael Burke (aka “Big Mike” and/or “Burkie”) was diagnosed with brain cancer at the age of 58. During the following 15+ months, Big Mike fought every day with a smile on his face, however he unfortunately lost his battle just days after his 60th birthday.

Burkie was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and especially a friend to all who he encountered and will always be a powerful example to us all on how to treat people. Our hopes are to continue Big Mike’s legacy and to keep his memory alive.

For those who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing Mike you can read a little about him and his family in the Boston Irish Reporter from a few years ago: https://www.bostonirish.com/news/2014/southie’s-burkes-‘family’-sacred-word

About the Event:
We’d like to invite everyone to join us for our annual walk and pig roast in honor of Big Mike. The past two years, Mike’s wife, Lee, has pulled together a great group to participate in the Boston Brain Cancer Walk, followed by a pig roast at the Boston Harbor Yacht Club. A lot of money was raised and contributed to the National Brain Tumor Society, and we were able to collect even more money to help out some families in need. Unfortunately, the truth is that our circle will always know someone who needs help while battling cancer.

This year, instead of participating in the Boston Brain Cancer Walk, we will be leading our own walk – “Burkie’s Walk” – around the Sugarbowl and back to the BHYC for a pig roast on October 15th.

The Michael Burke Foundation was founded this summer with the goal of benefitting cancer patients and their families as they struggle with the many challenges, medical and otherwise, that come with this disease. This fall’s “Burkie’s Walk” and pig roast will serve that end, especially for the family of Alex Moore.

Alex is the niece of Bobby Keogh, one of Big Mike’s best friends, and she was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in June of this year at age 29. Having lost her mother to cancer in college, Alex and the entire Keogh family know especially well how devastating cancer can be medically, emotionally and financially. Alex is a wife and mother of two young children and remains determined to fight and defeat this cancer. The Michael Burke Foundation wants to help reduce any financial burdens Alex may have so that she can focus all of her energy on her fight.

So please come join us for “Burkie’s Walk” and pig roast on October 15th for a great time to help Alex and others when they need it the most.

Details for Burkie’s Walk:

• Start time: October 15, 2017 at 10:30 a.m.
• Location: BHYC (1805 Columbia Road, South Boston, MA 02127)
• Cost: $20 per person (children free) – Please register HERE
• Additional donations are encouraged and can be made on this site and at the event
• Food: Pig roast, burgers, dogs, etc.
• Football: Pats v. Jets at 1 p.m.
• Help: If you would like to help in any way (food, cooking, oyster shucking!) please reach out to Shelly Burke @ michelle.joyce3@gmail.com

Thanks for all of your support and we look forward to seeing everyone!

Share this event on Facebook and Twitter

We hope you can make it!

Cheers,
The Michael Burke Foundation

The IBEW Local 103, Electrical Construction Trust Funds office is pleased to announce that the 2017 Pre-Retirement Workshop videos and presentations are now available on our website: https://www.trustfunds103.com/2017-pre-retirement-workshop-presentations/

The Pre-Retirement Workshop, attended by more than 200 Local 103 members and their spouses, featured sessions covering virtually all aspects of pre-retirement planning. A list of all topics covered at the Pre-Retirement Workshop is shown below. Each topic has a live link to its own video and a copy of the presentation where applicable.

Social Security Benefits – A Foundation for Planning for the Future
An overview of Social Security with important facts you need to know: How do you qualify for benefits? When to start taking benefits? Plus, Medicare information and more.
Presented by: Charles Schaenman, Project Manager, Social Security Administration

Pension Plan Benefits – Electrical Workers Pension Fund, Local 103, I.B.E.W.
An overview of what you should know about your Pension Plan benefits: When you start receiving them; how to calculate the amount you’ll receive; and much more!
Presented by: Hal Tepfer, Fellow Society of Actuaries, Member American Academy of Actuaries

Local 103 Deferred Income Fund Benefits
What you need to know about taking Deferred Income Fund distributions, beneficiaries, receiving installments, and taking out loans.
Presented by: Michael Donovan, Chief Financial Officer, CEBS, Electrical Construction Trust Funds, Local 103, IBEW

Local 103 Health Benefit Plan
An overview of the plan, plus how members and widows qualify for retiree benefits, Health Plan benefits for retirees who retire before age 65, current premiums, and an overview of Medicare at age 65.
Presented by: Michael Donovan, Chief Financial Officer, CEBS, Electrical Construction Trust Funds, Local 103, IBEW

Legal Issues When Approaching Retirement
An overview of Financial and Health Issues, including Estate Planning, Tax Avoidance, Health Care Proxies and Living Wills, and Income and Financial Planning.
Presented by: Michael D. Joyce, ESQ, CEBS, Sr. Vice President, Segal Marco Advisors

Tax Issues After Retirement
An overview of important tax considerations, retirement income, Massachusetts State Taxes, and retirement planning.
Presented by: Edward C. Manzi, CPA, MST, Manzi & Associates; formerly IRS Agent and Auditor, US Department of Defense