Santa fought through near blizzard conditions to visit Breitung Township Education Association (BTEA) and Breitung Township Education Support Personnel Association (BTESPA) family members earlier this month.

More than 40 children and adults were on hand to meet with Santa in the first of what the two local unions hope will become an annual event for members and their families.

Under new leadership, BTEA has rebranded this year to focus on the mission of “Recruiting, Re-engaging, and Retaining” not only members but all stakeholders in the Breitung Township School District.

Events like Snacks with Santa, BTEA After the Bell, and a family cookout to kick off the new school year have helped BTEA increase its membership this year by close to 15 percent and enroll 13 of the 16 new hires at Breitung Township Schools this year.

This success could not have been possible without help from the MEA, MEA Region 17B UniServ director David Martinson and his office, and the Upper Peninsula Education Association, which BTEA is a member of.

“The labor movement and solidarity are alive and well in the UP, and these events are a testament to the benefits of being a member in your local association,” Martinson said.

Special thanks goes out to Santa himself, (retired teacher and WEAC member Richard Schadewald) and BTEA Membership engagement committee chairperson Colleen Driscoll.