Calendars, Coolers and Cancer Research

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women in the United States, affecting approximately one in eight women at some point in their lives. To support the fight against the disease, IBEW Local 252 is raising funds and supporting research through the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance’s (USA) calendar program.

Back in 2012, the Ann Arbor Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Center (JATC) and IBEW apprentices teamed up to start Union 4 Life, a breast cancer charity supporting the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center’s Breast Cancer Research Program.

The mission of Union 4 Life is to “inspire hope and contribute to the health and well-being of both members and the public at large by supporting the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center’s fight against Breast Cancer.”

Part of Union 4 Life’s annual donation to the research program comes from ordering USA calendar bundles. Since the calendar program’s inception in 2013, union locals have utilized calendar bundles and incentive prizes to celebrate safety milestones, boost meeting attendance, and host raffles—while also supporting conservation and union solidarity.

Local 252 sells calendars for $35 each, with $10 from every sale going directly to support the charity.

“The calendars have been an integral part of our fundraising efforts for several years, allowing us to donate over $140,000 to UM since our inception,” said Hope Salyer, public relations director at Ann Arbor Electrical JATC.

To go along with calendar sales, Local 252 has won cooler packages in consecutive years as part of monthly early bird drawings for bulk calendar orders placed in July, August and September.

According to Salyer, last year’s 40-qt. Orca cooler was auctioned off, while this year’s Wyld Gear package—including a 20-oz. tumbler, 24-oz. cup, and 25-qt. cooler—became a prize at Local 252’s Aug. 23 golf outing at Pierce Lake Golf Course in Chelsea, Michigan.

“We love supporting the USA calendar program—it’s one of our most popular fundraisers each year,” Salyer said. “Our journeymen and apprentices look forward to the calendars every year. It’s a great way to get more apprentices and union members involved in our charity, and it helps Union 4 Life increase fundraising from other events throughout the year.”

The 2026 USA Calendar is themed “Ways We Enjoy the Great Outdoors”. It features photos of USA members and partners plus mental health tips & resources.

“The USA calendar program provides unions a meaningful way to engage with members and raise funds for worthy causes,” said Walt Ingram, USA Executive Director & CEO. “I appreciate the work IBEW Local 252 is doing to support the USA and the difference they are making in the fight against breast cancer. It’s a testament to what union members can achieve when they come together with a common goal.”