SUNY Oswego's State Employees Federated Appeal, or SEFA, reached an all-time high in its 2009-10 campaign.

"We had a good year, despite the tough times economically for all," commented Howard Gordon '74 M '78, executive assistant to Oswego's president and convener of the steering committee for the campaign. "People are willing to help other people, either in their local communities or through agencies that serve multiple communities."

As of Feb. 5, the campaign raised $34,807, just missing the $35,000 goal by $193. Gordon indicated that the campaign would accept contributions from any employees who wanted to help push the campaign over the goal for the second straight year.

Last year, the campaign raised $31,240, or 4 percent over its 2008-09 goal of $30,000.

The steering committee met during the summer and elected to increase the goal by $5,000, because the need was so great.

SEFA is a charitable solicitation of New York state employees. Through SEFA, state employees can choose from hundreds of charitable organizations locally, nationally or around the world to receive their gifts.

Many donations, including the proceeds of the 18th annual Walk-a-Thon, a Baskets of Caring event and a campus-wide bake-off, go to support the United Way of Oswego County.

Gordon noted that people from all walks of campus life are involved in the campaign, from building coordinators who solicit their colleagues to students who help out in various ways. People from departments all over campus participate in the bake-off competition and Baskets of Caring event, some planning for months what recipe they will bake or what kind of basket they will create for the annual fundraisers.

The Office of Alumni and Development took home top honors in the Basket of Caring event, with their lottery ticket garden raising the most money for the charity of any basket in this year's competition.

— Michele Reed

PHOTO CAPTION:

Akemee Capers '10 and Christine Willis '10 cast their votes for themed baskets of goodies in the Campus Center during the annual Baskets of Caring fundraiser for the United Way of Greater Oswego County. The event is part of SUNY Oswego's State Employees Federated Appeal, or SEFA, campaign, which reached an all-time high in its most recent campaign.



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