Page 14 - Work Force February 2024

Lifting neighbors in need
ALBANY — CSEA staff got into the giving spirit of the holiday season.
Union headquarters staff helped make the holidays brighter for
two local families through
the Adopt-A-Family
Betor, Nicole Lawson and Mary Ellen Shea coordinated union staff donation efforts, working with lists
of each family’s needs that they had identified.
program, which is locally coordinated by the Albany County Department of Children, Youth and Families.
The department identifies the program families in need.
CSEA staff has
participated in the program for 14 years.
Union staff Adopt-A-Family volunteers Jill Asencio, Stephanie
Season of
Giving
Union staff donated gifts. During the week before Christmas, volunteers
worked with county caseworkers to ensure gifts reached the families in time for the
holiday.
Statewide, CSEA staff
also pledged more than $30,000 in donations to the United Way, which works with
numerous nonprofit organizations. CSEA staff members Sonja Gaddy
and Suzanne Carter chaired the campaign.
CSEA staff pose with United Way of the Capital Region representatives during our union’s successful fundraiser for the United Way. CSEA region offices were also took part in the fundraiser virtually.
Nassau County collects toys for children in hospital
CSEA Nassau County Local members recently dropped off toys from their annual holiday donation drive to the Nassau University Medical Center. Local representatives collected the donations at the local’s annual holiday party. All donations go to children that are either admitted to or visit the hospital. The group collected so many donations that toys will be distributed well into the new year. Pictured, from
left to right, CSEA Nassau Local 2nd Vice President Kris Kalender, CSEA Nassau University Medical Center Unit Executive Vice President Shakira Settles, CSEA Nassau University Medical Center Unit 3rd Vice President Michael Gornetzki, CSEA Nassau County Medical Examiners’ Unit President Joseph McGahan, CSEA Nassau University Medical Center Unit Treasurer Diane Atkinson and CSEA Nassau County Local President Ron Gurrieri. (Photo provided by Joseph McGahan.)
From left to right, CSEA staff member and Adopt-A-Family volunteers Mary Ellen Shea and Nicole Lawson, Brianna LaRegina from the Albany County Department of Children, Youth and Families and staff Adopt-A-Family volunteers Jill Asencio and Stephanie Betor pose with a few of the many staff donations to a family in need.
Former CSEA Director of Research Don Kelly performs as part of our union’s coffee house fundraiser to benefit the United Way.
14 The Work Force
February 2024