NYSCOPBA SPOTLIGHT Mike Bigaj, Collins Correctional Facility
NYSCOPBA would like to take this opportunity to recognize one of our members from Collins Correctional Facility. Mike Bigaj is an Officer and a union steward at Collins and has recently drawn the attention of his Chief Steward Dan Keller and a number of his peers. Some of you may recall a recent posting on our website for an event for retired sergeant John Hackemer, also from Collins, whose son James was seriously wounded while fighting for our country in Iraq.James lost both his legs in a roadside bombing and sustained other injuries as well. Shortly after this horrific tragedy James wife gave birth to a baby girl.
Some of you may recall Officer Bigaj from our last Executive Assembly meeting where he was selling tickets for the Hackemer event to help raise money.Officer Bigaj acted as the treasurer for this event and volunteered numerous hours of his own time as well as utilizing his own accruals at work to attend organizational meetings and to conduct business to make this event a success. His efforts cannot go unnoticed as the event took place and was one of the biggest and most successful events this region has ever seen raising over 113,000.00 for the Hackemer family.I would certainly be remiss if I did not mention all the people that helped Officer Bigaj make this event such a huge success by donating time,money,refreshments,entertainment,gifts,and the list goes on and on as it was an unbelievable event.
In order to get a real picture of what Officer Bigaj is really all about I need to mention a few other things that have recently come to light.This past Christmas he dressed up as Rudy the Fox and handed out gifts at Childrens Hospital in Buffalo. On Christmas day he went to the Ronald McDonald House and helped cook and serve Christmas dinner for those forced to be away from home. He recently assisted in soliciting over 400 hours of leave donation for one of our members from Collins who was struck down with Cancer.Every six months he also donates packed red blood cells which is used for the treatment of cancer and leukemia.
We dont believe you realize the lives you have touched with your kindness,your unselfishness,and your ability to make a difference in peoples lives. You have touched the lives of not only those you have worked so hard for but also your family,your co-workers, and your community. Mike you are a man of compassion with an unwavering character that is admired by many. We Thank You and Commend you for all that you do for so many. | |
|
