Members in Action
Region 8 Black Caucus brightens children's holiday season

The lives of 22 children at the Children's Medical and Rehabilitation Center at Hilltop in Schenectady County were made brighter during the holiday season by members of the Albany Chapter of the PEF Black Caucus who purchased gifts for the youngsters.

"We wanted to give back something to our community," said Caucus Treasurer Emma Graham, a health program administrator and health management development fellow with the state Health Department.

The chapter, which was organized three years ago, solicited donations from its members and sponsored a raffle to raise money for the gifts.

Hilltop provides comprehensive services to infants, children and teenagers in need of intensive rehabilitation, short-term transitional services or long-term specialized care.
- Mary Caroline Powers

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - Mary Micciche, a recreation therapist at Hilltop of Niskayuna, accepts gifts on behalf of the children at the rehabilitation from Emma Graham, treasurer of the Albany Chapter of the PEF Black Caucus. Caucus member Mary Shearill-Jones, a human resource development specialist with the state Office of Children and Family Services, looks on.

THEY SALUTE HIM - PEF President Roger Benson spoke at the March of Dimes Salute to Labor Breakfast in Albany in December. Benson was honored by the March of Dimes for his leadership in protecting the health of members and their families.

Benson was the 1999 Labor Chair of the State Employees Federated Appeal for New York State.

The state Health Department research scientist told those attending the breakfast how proud he felt as a child to participate in trials of the original polio vaccine which the March of Dimes helped to sponsor.

JOY OF GIVING - Julie Castleberry of PEF Region 8 receives donations for the annual Holiday Hunger Appeal of the Capital District.

Region 8 members staffed the Appeal's booth at Crossgates Mall in Albany on December 19 and the union matched the contributions they collected.

IN THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT - Santa has lots of help collecting toys for needy youngsters at the annual Region 8 Holiday Party in Albany.

he price of admission? A toy, of course. State Assembly Member Bob Prentiss joins Santa (Dan Ryan) and Region 8 Coordinator Jeff Satz as they receive members' gifts.

 

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