Times are not great for workers at North Star Steel, but that doesn?t mean they can?t be generous. For the 17th straight year, workers pitched in toward holiday programs at Merrick Community Services on St. Paul?s East Side.

The workers donated $1,700 in collections at the plant gate ? a sum that tripled to $5,100 when matched by Steelworkers Local 7263 and North Star itself.

?We?re working under a contract extension, and there?s a lot of uncertainty here, but the membership came through as usual ? better than expected,? said Clete Glassing, of Local 7263.

Last year, Merrick used donations to provide presents to 10,000 children and food to 2,000 families.