CSEA CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF CARING

Albany and Rochester, N.Y.--As CSEA concludes its centennial year, the union's spirit of public service and community support continues to be a vibrant force. Despite the challenges of hard times, CSEA members all across the state continued to give generously and do good for their communities, not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.

From the earliest days of CSEA's existence, members have enthusiastically supported charitable and service organizations responding to human need, natural disaster and community improvement. In 2010, CSEA members across New York gave of themselves to participate in and support every conceivable cause from well-known organizations such as the American Red Cross, the American Cancer Society and Special Olympics to local community fund-raisers and ad hoc events. Many CSEA groups sponsored their own charitable activities to help their local communities.

CSEA members are also the backbone of local United Way campaigns and the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA), contributing millions of dollars to participating organizations.

In October, CSEA members who traveled to Albany for the union's 100th Annual Delegates Meeting reaffirmed their commitment to community service. Several hundred delegates participated in hands-on community service activities during a designated Day of Service.



Freezin for a Reason 2010

The projects included an Empire Stroll to raise money for the CSEA Disaster Relief Fund; projects at the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, the Louise Corning Albany Senior Services Center and the Hudson-Mohawk River Humane Society. Other delegates participated in a disaster preparedness program presented by the American Red Cross and volunteered for the Special Olympics of New York State Polar Plunges. 

Locally, WNY CSEA Region 6 raised over $6,000.00 at the February 14, 2010 Lake Ontario Polar Plunge for the NYS Special Olympics.

"Most CSEA members dedicate their lives to serving people on the job," said CSEA President Danny Donohue. "But we also care about making our communities better places to live and we volunteer and contribute in every possible way."

" For more than 100 years, CSEA has been focused on making New York a better place. No one should underestimate the selfless impact that CSEA members make in every corner of the state," Donohue said.