State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)

October 25, 2011

Dear Members of the Downstate Community,

Charitable giving is a personal decision and the Downstate Medical Center SEFA campaign is an excellent opportunity for you. As a SEFA (State Employee Federated Appeal) donor, you select the recipient(s) of your donation. The process is easy and effective. When you make your charitable donation you help to support a network of local, national, and international community services all year long.

We have raised more than $200,000 for SEFA in each of the past three years an impressive record. Even so, we can and must do more. There are so many people with so many needs that donations to SEFA really do help.

The SEFA-affiliated agencies feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, nurture the sick, care for the elderly, counsel troubled youth, protect the environment, and make a very big overall difference in many lives. With more than 1100 charitable organizations to choose from, there is sure to be a good fit for your contribution. Giving through SEFA keeps overhead low so more of your dollars goes to the agencies' programs.

This year, as we continue to GREEN our campaign, we encourage online giving. The revised SEFA NYC website is easy to use and payroll deduction makes the size of your donation keep on giving.

Our SEFA leadership team is headed by Christine Murrell and Don Lemke our Campaign Managers and Leslie Rogowsky, Downstate's Executive Campaign Manager and Liaison for SUNY in the NYC Campaign. Additionally, more than 100 people volunteer their time to be our Fund Raisers. When they ask for a donation, give generously, in return you will have the joy of knowing you have made a difference in the life of someone in need.

Thank you for your support and your continued generosity.

Sincerely,
John C. LaRosa, MD
President