PEF Black Caucus raises $$$ for college fund
Members of the PEF Black Caucus launched a new charitable donation drive this year that put more than $2,000 in the coffers of the United Negro College Fund.

Reaching out to members on a statewide level, the caucus raised $1,078 that was matched by PEF.

“As a labor union, PEF has as one of its major objectives the exposing and fighting of all forms of discrimination,” said PEF President Roger Benson. “This contribution represents a continuation of our efforts over the last 28 years to assist our African American members and their families.”

According to Clifton Vassell, PEF Black Caucus president, the donation drive was a success and will become an annual event. “Next year, it will be even bigger and better,” Vassell said.

At a PEF Region 11 gathering in January, Benson selected the winners in a random drawing. The first prize of $500 went to Richard Dillard, a senior management specialist at the state Department of Health. Dillard returned half of his winnings to the cause.  — Deborah A. Miles

Check out new Region 5 site
PEF Region 5 has a new Web site. Check it out at www.pefregion5.org. You can also access it online through the PEF Regions section of the main PEF Web site at pef.org.

Mary Twitchell, PEF Region 5 coordinator says the credit for the new regional site goes to its creator, PEF Division 399 Council Leader Kathy D’Arminio from the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.

“Without Kathy’s support, technical assistance, knowledge and encouragement this site would all still just be in my head,” Twitchell said. 

The site is still expanding, she said, with a page for news from the Region 5 Nurses Committee planned. The site already has a box where members can leave their suggestions for additions and improvements.

While you are online, you may also want to check out the site D’Arminio built for Division 399 at www.pef399.org. — Sherry Halbrook