REMINDER: Migrant Workers Family Support Fund to Deliver Cheque to Hampstead Tragedy Widow in Kitchener

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - June 6, 2012) -

Media alert: News and Assignment Editors for Friday, June 8, 2012 - Kitchener, Ontario

On June 8, the widow of one of the victims of the horrific collision near Hampstead, Ontario will be the next recipient from a nation-wide fund setup to support and assist the families of the workers killed or injured in the two-vehicle crash on February 6.

In the wake of the accident, the Migrant Workers Family Support Fund has raised over $210,000 through the generosity of individuals and organizations across Canada. 100% of the monies collected are to be distributed in 14 equal portions to the individuals or families of the 14 workers who were killed or injured in the Hampstead tragedy.

Samaria Carolina Enamorado, widow of the late Nicaraguan worker Juan Castillo, will receive her own share of the Migrant Workers Family Support Fund. UFCW Canada General Counsel and Director of Human Rights Naveen Mehta will present the cheque on behalf of UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley. Juan Carranza of the Carranza LLP law firm will also be on hand for the presentation. Carranza LLP was instrumental in organizing a fundraising event that raised over $10,000 which was then added to the Migrant Workers Family Support Fund. Carranza LLP then matched the fundraising total with an additional donation of $10,000.

The first disbursements of the fund took place on May 9, 2012, in London, Ontario to Javier Alba Medina and Juan Jose Ariza. Medina and Ariza are two of the three survivors of the accident. UFCW Canada National President Wayne Hanley personally presented the cheques to Medina and Ariza. The two men are currently recovering from their injuries in a London, Ontario facility.

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

To date, the Migrant Worker Family Support Fund has surpassed the $210,000 mark thanks in part to generous donations from individuals, community organizations and labour allies, as well as donations made at events organized by community leaders and organizations. 100% of the monies collected will be distributed in 14 equal portions to the individuals or families of the 14 workers who were killed or injured.