Why Support SEFA?
We imagine that you, like many others, are asked for money constantly. Friends and family members ask you to buy Girl Scout cookies, donate to 5K walks, and support Sports Booster programs. All of these causes are worthy. So you might be thinking, "Why should I support SEFA?"
Please consider participating in this year's campaign. Every contribution helps. One dollar each pay period can allow a potential donor to be typed for the bone marrow registry or supply a wig to a patient who has lost their hair due to chemotherapy. At your convenience, please read these documents to learn about how SEFA works and the impact your SEFA contribution can make.
Testimonials from donation recipients
Teresa House offers a comfort care ministry to residents who are nearing the end of a terminal illness by providing round-the-clock care in a home environment filled with love, dignity and support. We care for the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of our residents and their families during the last precious days of life. We are here to lighten the load, reduce stress and anxiety, and encourage families to spend precious quality time together. Your donations are used to support the day-to-day operations of caring for the terminally ill and their families. It is only through the generosity of countless donors, volunteers and friends like you that Teresa House can continue to serve our community. We are so thankful for your support! – The Teresa House
"We love that this program is in place because it facilitates the fundraising process with ease. We are then able to continue to provide healthcare and education that empowers individuals and families. We couldn't do it without your support and we thank you." - Planned Parenthood
"LASROC has been committed to providing a variety of free or low-cost civil legal services since 1921. This past year your contribution helped make it possible for more than 8,000 of our community members to access the legal services necessary to navigate crisis. Thank you!" - The Legal Aid Society of Rochester
"The American Red Cross is a volunteer led humanitarian organization which provides blood products, teaches life-saving skills, assists military families and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies – all right here in the Western New York Region. The American Red Cross Greater Rochester Chapter, is unlike any other in the country as it contains the home of Red Cross founder, Clara Barton, in Dansville, NY. This historic landmark at 37 Elizabeth Street has been preserved as a museum to honor the legacy of Clara Barton and the long history of the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross continues to stand ready to assist the residents of Western New York in times of need, responding 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. All Red Cross services are available to individuals simply based on their need at the time of the disaster response or service request. Our mission, although changed in the way we carry it out, has continued amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you so much for your support!" - The American Red Cross
"The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society was founded more than 70 years ago by a family who lost their son to leukemia. With donations from dedicated supporters such as SUNY Geneseo, and their employees, we’ve invested nearly $1.3 billion in cancer research, and made great progress in our quest for cancer cures. Thanks to SUNY Geneseo, we will be able to help reach more blood cancer patients with critical support and services." - The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
"Genesee Valley Conservancy celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2020 by protecting 2,890 acres of land locally. Looking ahead to 2021, the organization has over 8,200 acres of conservation projects under contract, including expansions of two nature preserves that will add more than 50 acres for trails and other public uses.
"As the local land conservancy, Genesee Valley Conservancy has three approaches to protecting the important natural resources and lands in the Genesee Valley. First, the organization partners with private landowners to protect lands with conservation easements. These legal contracts ensure farms and forest lands are not destroyed. Second, through ownership of nature preserves, Genesee Valley Conservancy provides over 7 miles of hiking trails for the public. Finally, through various educational efforts (internships, volunteer days, lectures, and workshops) staff raise awareness of land conservation issues and help improve land management in the Genesee Valley.
"Community donations have significantly enhanced the organizations efforts in recent years. In 2019, $160,000 in donations helped staff write and secure over $6.9 million in grant funding for conservation projects. In a year when nearly all events and fundraising programs had to be halted, the strong annual support of the community has helped the Conservancy continue with its mission of saving land in the Genesee Valley." - Genesee Valley Conservancy
"We are very appreciative of the generosity and support from employees who are helping Livingston CARES fulfill our humanitarian projects, including disaster relief and recovery efforts. Fifteen years ago in 2005, the campus and community responded to the overwhelming destruction of Hurricane Katrina by creating a non-profit public charity that could contribute money and labor to rebuilding efforts on the Gulf Coast. Since that time, Livingston CARES has sponsored 40 service trips to Biloxi with 973 volunteers who helped low-income families recover from the hurricane.
"We expanded our work to include Hurricane Sandy recovery work in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. The natural disasters continued and Livingston CARES responded to multiple hurricanes in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, and Puerto Rico with 50 more service trips through January of 2020.
"Currently, we are not able to offer service trips due to the pandemic. We are holding spaces in late May 2021 for possible trips to Puerto Rico and the Lake Charles area of Louisiana that was hit by two hurricanes this fall. Members of the campus community also responded generously to our 2020-2021 Disaster Recovery Fund and we are supporting projects related to recovery in western Louisiana.
"In addition to disaster recovery, Livingston CARES supports local programs including the Home Away From Home Respite Center at the Interfaith Center that engages student volunteers to provide respite care for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other memory-related diseases and the Geneseo/Groveland Food Pantry at the Central Presbyterian Church that is growing and expanding services to low-income families. Livingston CARES also sponsors the Geneseo Goes to Town service day each spring that engages student volunteers in service projects throughout Livingston County.
"During the pandemic this summer, Livingston CARES created a COVID-19 Front Line Workers Appreciation Fund and volunteers distributed thank you food packets throughout the county to front line workers at 15 Livingston County departments, the Noyes Hospital in Dansville, the nursing and rehabilitation facilities in Mt. Morris, and every fire and police department. Volunteers also distributed packets to thank truckers at the Quicklee's Travel Center at the Lakeville exit off 390. Details on this initiative are reported on the Livingston CARES website.
"...thank you for helping us make this unique partnership with Livingston County make a difference to so many families and our service partner organizations." - Livingston CARES