CSEA Local 828 Scholarships Awarded

Bess Watts with Jesse Pitoni

Webster, NY - On Monday, June 11, CSEA Monroe County Local 828 Executive Board, Local 828 Scholarship Committee and CSEA Retirees Local 912 hosted the 26th Annual Scholarship Awards Dinner at Liberty Lodge in Finn Park, 850 Maple Drive in Webster, NY.

At the picnic dinner, Local officers formally announced the winners of the CSEA Local 828 George M. Growney Memorial and the Monroe County Unit 7400 Scholarship Awards for 2018. This year, $8,000.00 was awarded to deserving area students whose parents or caregivers are members in good standing of CSEA Monroe County Local 828.

“This is my favorite time of the year, the committee does all the work and I show up and give out money to well deserving children of CSEA members” said Bess Watts, President of Local 828. She added, “It’s very rewarding to know we are helping our young people succeed in life. It also does my heart good to see young people understand the value of our union and how much we contribute to the well-being of our community. One day they will become the leaders we need.”

CSEA Local 828 Scholarships are open to graduating high school seniors whose parents and caregivers are members or agency shop fee payers of Monroe County Local 828. The scholarship committees have reviewed thousands of applications in the past 25 years, which demonstrates the significant need of financial resources for young adults continuing their formal education. Scholarships applicants are judged on academic achievement, a written essay, financial need and potential..

Since 1993, CSEA Local 828 has awarded over $158,000 in scholarship prize money. In 1993, the Monroe County Employees Unit 7400, the largest Unit in the Local, created their own scholarship program and have distributed more than $27,000.

About George M. Growney

Mr. Growney was a long time local labor leader and activist. He was employed as a probation officer with Monroe County. He served as local president for nearly two decades before his retirement in 1995. George had a passion for kids to succeed, and would be proud that his union brothers and sisters have carried on his legacy of love and commitment to youth. George M. Growney died on August 10, 1997. The scholarship program was named in his honor in 1998—one year after his passing.

Region 6 President Flo Tripi addressing the audience

A special thank you to the Scholarship Committee, Chaired by Nancy Steele from the Town of Webster,  for all the work you did to make this such a successful event.   If you are a member of CSEA Local 828 and want to be on the Scholarship Committee contact your Unit President and ask if you can get involved.  We'd love to have you!