SEFA Celebrates 50 Years

October 20, 2014

The State Employees Federated Appeal is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

The 2014 SEFA Campaign kicks off at SUNY Plattsburgh Thursday, Oct. 23 and will include presentations by John Bernardi, director of the Adirondack United Way; Dr. John Ettling, president of SUNY Plattsburgh; and Carol Bleaux and Cherice Granger, co-chairs of the SEFA Committee. Campaign materials and pledge cards will be distributed at the end of the event.

SEFA began in 1964 and is the only authorized solicitation of state employees in the workplace. Through payroll deductions, SEFA collects donations for thousands of not-for-profit agencies approved through a local regulating committee and the Office of General Services in Albany.

The Adirondack United Way is the fiduciary agent for SEFA in Clinton, Essex, Franklin and Hamilton Counties. State employees who work in any of those counties can donate through SEFA to the organization of their choice. Some previous charities have included: Ronald McDonald House, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Sibley Hall Child Care Center, and North Country Life Flight.

Employees who work away from home may also contribute to any other SEFA area in New York State to give back to their home community. The 2013 campaign raised $43,170.32.

Something Fresh For Fifty

To further celebrate their fiftieth anniversary, SEFA will host a 5K Halloween Fun Run on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the SUNY Plattsburgh Field House.

“Cherice Granger and I are very excited to hold the first ever SUNY Plattsburgh 5K Fun Run/Walk to ben efit SEFA. It will be a great way to have fun, get some exercise and raise money for the participating organizations,” Bleaux said.

Advance single race entry is $15, and day-of-race entry is $18 cash or check only. Groups of four may register for a discounted price of $50 and children under 3 are free. Costumes are encouraged. All proceeds raised from the run will be added to the final amount raised during the 2014 campaign.

For more information about SEFA or either event, contact Bleaux at [email protected] or email Cherice Granger at [email protected].