The “union-avoidance” industry isn’t taking the election results lying down. The Andrew Breitbarts of the world are already busy spinning the Hostess Brands liquidation and Wednesday’s planned protest in Los Angeles. (If you’re wondering: there may be delays on surface streets around LAX – but the protest is not expected to impact any air travel.)

In these days leading up to Thanksgiving, you’re probably going to hear a lot of other anti-union stories in the media. (The union-busters have a lot of money to spend on PR.)

What you’re probably not going to hear is how union members nationwide are celebrating the holiday. A quick sampling:

In Palm Beach, Florida, labor unions are part of “ The Big Heart Brigade ”. Last Thanksgiving, the Brigade fed 100,000 people – and they are hoping to feed even more, this year. “Several local unions have already donated time and funds to help, including Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA) Local 630, Ironworkers Local 402, Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 728, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3181 and Machinists (IAM) Local 971.”

”. Last Thanksgiving, the Brigade fed 100,000 people – and they are hoping to feed even more, this year. “Several local unions have already donated time and funds to help, including Plumbers and Pipe Fitters (UA) Local 630, Ironworkers Local 402, Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 728, Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 3181 and Machinists (IAM) Local 971.” Feed The Community Day Near Los Angeles, ILWU Local 13 is holding their 15 th annual “ Feed the Community Day ”. They will be distributing 1,500 turkey baskets with all the trimmings to help feed low-income families in surrounding communities.

Throughout the country, IAFF Locals are giving coats to kids through “ Operation Warm ”. IAFF Local 157 is distributing more than 2,000 coats to needy children in Oklahoma City, OK. IAFF Local 215 is giving away almost 1,000 coats in Milwaukee, WI. In New Jersey, IAFF Local 2657 is donating 350 coats. In Pennsylvania, IAFF Local 10 plans to give a new coat to every single child who attends George Washington Elementary School, after firefighters noticed that most students didn’t have anything warmer than a hooded sweatshirt (87% of the school’s families live at or below the poverty line).

”. IAFF Local 157 is distributing more than 2,000 coats to needy children in Oklahoma City, OK. IAFF Local 215 is giving away almost 1,000 coats in Milwaukee, WI. In New Jersey, IAFF Local 2657 is donating 350 coats. In Pennsylvania, IAFF Local 10 plans to give a new coat to every single child who attends George Washington Elementary School, after firefighters noticed that most students didn’t have anything warmer than a hooded sweatshirt (87% of the school’s families live at or below the poverty line). And of course, Hurricane Sandy relief efforts will continue through the holiday. Nationwide, union members are contributing to various Hurricane Sandy Relief Funds. Union members in the hardest-hit areas will continue to do what they have been doing for weeks: cleaning up, fixing up, and taking care of the people around them.

This Thanksgiving, let’s give thanks for our union brothers and sisters. Our union family is not just standing behind us in our workplaces – unions are giving back to our communities, making things better for families in need.

Liz Iacobucci is the former Public Information Officer for the State Employees’ Association of New Hampshire, SEIU Local 1984. Over the past three decades, she has served in government at the federal, state and municipal levels; and she has worked for both Democratic and Republican politicians.

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