Participating in the SEFA drive are, front, Susan Slaney, Bernie Bullis, Joseph Brant, Nancy Rowledge, Melissa Proulx and Kimberly Holmes. Second row, Lori Fay, Marilyn Barr, Tina Flanagan, Sam Purington, Patrick Whitney and Joe Kennedy

The United Way State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA) campaign has begun in St. Lawrence County.

Representatives of the various departments of state government met recently at SUNY Canton to receive their pledge booklets to give out to the more than 4,100 state employees in St. Lawrence County.

The SEFA campaign encourages state employees to donate to the charities of their choice through payroll deduction. The collection and distribution of funds is handled by the United Way of Northern New York as overseen by the SEFA committee.

At the kickoff meeting, campaign coordinators heard from former SUNY Canton President Joe Kennedy about the importance of their giving to local nonprofits. The group also heard from Sam Purington, the executive director of the Volunteer Transportation Center, which recently expanded to provide service to county citizens.

Recently, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli asked state employees to join him in supporting the SEFA campaign.

"The State Employees Federated Appeal connects worthy organizations with public employees who want to make a difference,’’ he said. “SEFA empowers agencies that care for millions of people, as well as advocates for important changes to make our communities better."

“If every state employee donated one dollar a week, nonprofits in St. Lawrence County would receive around $210,000 next year,” said Bob Gorman, CEO of the United Way of NNY. “State employees have the power to make a huge impact in the north country every year.”