Migrant Workers Family Support Fund surpasses $105,000 for Hampstead tragedy families

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 1, 2012) - A special assistance fund created in response to the recent Hampstead, Ontario tragedy that killed eleven workers and left three others seriously injured has now surpassed the $105,000 mark.

The Migrant Workers Family Support Fund was setup by UFCW Canada and the Agriculture Workers Alliance to assist the families of the workers killed or injured on February 6, when a van transporting 13 migrant agriculture workers collided with truck near Hampstead, Ontario.

Donations to the Migrant Workers Family Support Fund from individuals, community organizations and labour allies continue to be received, along with donations collected at a number of community fundraisers held across the country.

"We are grateful for the generous response from donors all across Canada," says Wayne Hanley, the national president of UFCW Canada. "We are also grateful to the Peruvian Consul-General for their guidance in this matter. In April we will be distributing 100% of the monies collected in 14 equal portions to the individuals or families of the 14 workers who were killed or injured."

Donations to the MIGRANT WORKERS FAMILY SUPPORT FUND can be made through PayPal at www.ufcw.ca/familysupportfund.

Please note that Charitable Tax Receipts for income tax purposes cannot be provided as the Migrant Workers Family Support Fund is not a Registered Charity.

Condolences can also be sent to the families through a special memorial Facebook page: Hampstead Tragedy Memorial Page.

UFCW Canada is the country's largest private-sector union, and for over two decades has led the campaign for safety and workplace rights for agriculture workers in Canada. In association with the Agriculture Workers Alliance (AWA), UFCW Canada also operates ten agriculture worker support centres across the country.