Generosity overrides poor economy during the holidays
WRAPPING IT UP — Standing are Robert Harms, William Wurster, Ron Vero, Mariruth
Brown, Debi Chowdhury, Tom Comanzo, Lyn Oyer, Dennis Anderson, Arlea Igoe and
Susan Jeffords. Kneeling are Jannath Withington and her daughter Daniela. Not
shown is Doris Shannon. — Photo by John Epting
SEASONAL SUPPORT — (Above) Claudette Taylor, PEF Region 8 Coordinator Tom
Comanzo and Dave Diamond volunteer at Crossgates Mall in Albany for the Regional
Food Bank.
Tom Comanzo receives a certificate of appreciation from U.S. Marine
Gunnery Sgt. Chris Hale at PEF headquarters for the donations made to Toys
for Tots.
— Photos by John Epting, Fred Moody and Sherry Halbrook
Two daughters of a PEF member look at the toys collected at the Region 8
holiday party.
They are Victoria and Brooke Ewing.
PEF family members Jannath Withington and her daughter Daniela decorate a
tree for a parole’s family.
By DEBORAH A. MILES
The 18th year for keeping the tradition of helping families of parolees will be
one for the books.
It is a year when the generosity of PEF members increased, even though the
nation and state are in a spiraling fiscal downturn.
And the annual wrapping event took place on the heels of a major ice storm,
leaving PEF headquarters without power. Yet, volunteers braved the slick roads
and wrapped gifts by sunlight that filtered into the cold conference room.
The gifts and baskets of food were given to families of parolees who are making
an effort to successfully transition back into the community.
“We had nine families nominated with almost 30 children for whom we provided
holiday gifts,” said Susan Jeffords, a parole revocation specialist 1 and
organizer of the event.
“With all the doom and gloom with the executive budgets in the country and
state, 2008 was one of our best years. We collected more than $500 and were able
to purchase groceries and clothes for these special families,” Jeffords said.
Members in PEF Region 8 also donated unwrapped toys for the project at their
annual holiday party. Some of the items were given to Toys for Tots and to the
children at St. Margaret’s orphanage.
“This was a great experience,” said PEF Region 8 Coordinator Tom Comanzo. “So
many people pitched in one way or another to make the project a success. It is a
good feeling to bring some unconditional joy to the children of parolees. A
simple gift sends a huge message, that they are being remembered and not being
chastised for the wrong-doing of their parent. It is truly a message of hope for
the future. It’s the best time of year to send this message.”
Downstate members in PEF Region 10 also got into the spirit of giving by hosting
a holiday party and inviting members to bring an unwrapped gift with a value of
$20 or more. Their project was a joint effort with the New York City Central
Labor Council and the U.S. Marines.
