The latest fundraiser put on for the United Way and State Employees Federated Appeals was Baskets of Caring, held at the Marano Campus Center on Nov. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Oswego State employees Judy Roik and Lori Reitmeier have been co-organizers of the event for the last three years.
SEFA’s fundraisers range from bake sales to food and toy drives, as well as the upcoming poinsettia sale, all of which are held on campus. The funds raised during the events stay local, helping enrich and improve the Oswego community, distributed by United Way of Greater Oswego County, Inc.
This week’s Baskets of Caring is one of the most successful and anticipated fundraisers SEFA holds on the Oswego State campus. Last year’s Baskets of Caring brought in $3,612, which was a record-breaking number for this event. Organizers hope to surpass that total this year and continue the trend of raising more money each year. The total amount raised will be released Monday. The exact start date of this event, however, is unknown due to a lack of records from earlier years, according to Reitmeier, the Marano Campus Center building representative.
“These special events, like the Baskets of Caring, all the money that is raised from these special events stays in Oswego County and is used for Oswego County agencies to support people right here in our own community,” said Angela Galvin, extended learning senior secretary and office manager.
This year’s event had 22 baskets entered. Tickets to enter into the drawing were just $1. Participants voted for their baskets, which ranged in value up to $1,000. Other baskets included oversized candy bars, coffee kits for aficionados, an array of classic board games and a cash pizza pie, in addition to a basket for the health and fitness gurus.
Baskets are entered in to the fundraiser by departments, student organizations and administrative offices, with some even receiving community donations for their baskets. AVP of Facilities Services and the School of Education combined to donate one basket, while the seventh floor of Culkin Hall, Society of Human Resource Management and Alpha Delta Eta pitched in with their own basket, among other groups.
The basket that brings in the most money is identified and they are presented with a plaque given to each year’s winner.
“This, I think, is the really big event,” Reitmeier said. “Everyone looks forward to this event to see the creativity, how creative people are, and it’s a worthy cause. So, I think it makes us all feel good to be able to contribute to that.”
SEFA works along with their fundraisers and solicits state employees to support the charity of their choice by making a pledge through payroll deduction, electronic donation or check.
According to a “How your contributions work” sheet provided by SEFA on the Oswego State website, each investment amount will go toward different causes. These range from $1 that may pay for a wig for a patient who lost their hair to chemotherapy to a $10 donation that will go toward things such as one week of Asthma camp for a child or 16 hours of research into the causes and cures for Leukemia.
“That means a lot to a lot of people that the money stays here in our own county,” Reitmeier said.
SEFA is directed specifically toward helping members of the donator’s community.
“The charities and organizations that are supported by SFA have often provided invaluable resources and opportunities as well as safe spaces to those in community,” said Karla Cano, a public relations intern for SEFA. “This is why many employees are passionate about giving back to those charities or organizations that once helped them out.”
Photo: Cole Parzych | The Oswegonian
