FEATURE
Have-a-Heart Month
FEATURE
Have-a-Heart Month
Member support more important than ever before
by Shannon Carr
Our way of life, now more than ever, has taught us to expect the unexpected. In addition to living through the uncertainty of a pandemic that started last year, many members have fallen on other hard times. Through both the good and the bad times, CSEA’s union brothers and sisters continue to stand strong and stand together. CSEA was founded on the belief of members helping members and this continues to be one of our guiding principles today.
This way of thinking was the inspiration of then-Association President Dorothy Bjork, who, in the mid-1980s, led our union’s first disaster relief effort that saw members from across the state donate their time, supplies and money to help fellow school employees in need. This effort eventually grew into the creation of the Assistance Fund that bears her name.
“Every day, a CSEA member wakes up and they and their family are hungry. Somewhere, there is a family on the verge of eviction.”
Last year alone, nearly $64,000 was distributed to 198 members. This assistance program runs solely on donations, not from dues or fees.
As chair of the Humanitarian Committee that distributes these funds, Past President Allan Clark shared a statement at a recent Board Meeting summarizing what it is like to receive applications from those who are struggling:
Member support more important than ever before
by Shannon Carr
Our way of life, now more than ever, has taught us to expect the unexpected. In addition to living through the uncertainty of a pandemic that started last year, many members have fallen on other hard times. Through both the good and the bad times, CSEA’s union brothers and sisters continue to stand strong and stand together. CSEA was founded on the belief of members helping members and this continues to be one of our guiding principles today.
This way of thinking was the inspiration of then-Association President Dorothy Bjork, who, in the mid-1980s, led our union’s first disaster relief effort that saw members from across the state donate their time, supplies and money to help fellow school employees in need. This effort eventually grew into the creation of the Assistance Fund that bears her name.
“Every day, a CSEA member wakes up and they and their family are hungry. Somewhere, there is a family on the verge of eviction.”
Last year alone, nearly $64,000 was distributed to 198 members. This assistance program runs solely on donations, not from dues or fees.
As chair of the Humanitarian Committee that distributes these funds, Past President Allan Clark shared a statement at a recent Board Meeting summarizing what it is like to receive applications from those who are struggling:
How to apply
How to apply
Allan Clark issues plea for support
“Every day, a CSEA member wakes up and they and their family are hungry. Somewhere, there is a family on the verge of eviction. The anguish of losing loved ones with no closure. The pain in your soul as you watch your children struggle to learn. The feeling of hopelessness gnawing at your empty stomach. Having to evacuate your home in the middle of a pandemic because of fires. Possibly losing everything because of disaster,” Clark said.
He continued: “Right when all hope is nearly lost, they find out about the Assistance Fund. Here, they find the hope of a better day. That my union cares about my well-being. That my fellow union members contribute to this fund that helps me without knowing me. Food is on the table now. We have a place to stay. My home is going to get fixed. I won’t be evicted. The utilities will stay on. I got enough assistance to help with the loss of family.
“This is what the fund does. This is why we need your help. As we begin the new year, we must help our fellow members get back on their feet. To help stabilize our fund for the future, here’s how you could help. Go to our link and you can contribute by payroll deduction, or by setting up a monthly recurring donation.” (See more details below)
Application process
Clark serves on the Humanitarian Committee along with 1st Vice President Shane Dishman, 2nd Vice President Adam Weinberger and Secretary Monica Han, who go through the often arduous and emotional process of reading the requests. The Member Benefits department also plays a role by interviewing members upon their initial application for help and following up with them after a decision is made by the Humanitarian Committee. They provide a level of service and care to our members that is critical. If you find yourself in need of assistance, here is how to apply:
- Submit an application to humanitarian@csea.com.
- Provide supporting documents, such as past due bills. For example, if a member is applying due to a loss in the family, they should attach funeral bills and/or a death certificate with the application.
- After the application is submitted, it is reviewed and, if needed, the member will be contacted for additional documents that help demonstrate need.
- It is then sent to the Humanitarian Committee for review and decision.
- Once approved, the member is notified.
Member receives support after losing father
Jeanny Punzalan, an instructional aide with Palo Alto Chapter 301, requested help last year after finding herself stuck with outstanding hospital bills following her father’s death from COVID complications. Even though...
Members thank CSEA family
After applications are approved and funds are disbursed, such as in Punzalan’s case, oftentimes the Member Benefits department receives handwritten and email thank-you cards and letters. Here are additional comments from two members who sent in a note:
Members thank CSEA family
After applications are approved and funds are disbursed, such as in Punzalan’s case, oftentimes the Member Benefits department receives handwritten and email thank-you cards and letters. Here are additional comments from two members who sent in a note:
Lanisha Barney, Twin Rivers Unified Chapter 1717, with her husband and her three–seven-year-old sons.
Lanisha Barney, Twin Rivers Unified Chapter 1717
“Like thousands of families throughout the United States, my family and I were affected financially by the pandemic. My husband lost his job during this COVID-19 pandemic, and when his unemployment benefits ran out, it put a hardship on our family. We were worried about where we would have the funds for groceries, how we were going to pay our rent, how would we afford transportation, and so on. The donation that CSEA members have provided lifted a heavy burden off our shoulders. We are so grateful, and thankful for the opportunity to have received your support.
My family would like to personally thank you for providing the opportunity to continue residing in our home. We are grateful that you have supplied the funds to keep us sheltered, especially during these hard economic times.
Thank you for contributing shelter for my two young children, my husband, and myself. We are so grateful to have this opportunity to prevent homelessness, especially during this global pandemic, that has put us all at risk. With the funds you provided, it has prevented my family and I from becoming a greater risk by avoiding homelessness.”
Arfah Adlan, Santa Cruz COE Chapter 484
“To those members who donated the funds to make my support possible, I would like to say that I am truly grateful. I did not lose my home, but I was evacuated and I had to spend what little savings I had to pay for an Airbnb and food. Your donation came at the right time when I truly needed help. I cannot thank you all enough. The funds made quite an impact on my life because I never expected to receive anything from members. When I received a letter from CSEA asking if I would like to donate to the recent wildfire, I had to tell them that I wish I could, but my family and I had been evacuated. And that prompted them to ask if I would like to apply for funding and I did.”
Have a Heart this February
Have a Heart this February
While most of us cannot imagine the heartbreak of losing a loved one, family home or enduring other unforeseen tragedies, the stories members share leave an imprint. These losses don’t fall on deaf ears. The generosity of our members is proof positive that we are a family who support each other during our greatest time of need.
This year, our members need more help than ever before and no contribution is too small. The Assistance Fund relies solely on member donations and every dollar goes directly to help a member in need. So please, open your hearts and give what you can because every time you give, we get to respond to one of those applicants by saying, “Your union brothers and sisters are here for you.”
Go to www.csea.com/assistance to learn more and give today. We’re all in this together.
Ways to contribute:
Designating the CSEA Assistance Fund as your charity on Amazon Smile is easy. Follow these step by step directions and help keep this fund strong.
Donate online: Use this link to make a one-time or recurring donation in the amount of your choosing.
Donate by credit card: Call CSEA Member Benefits at 866-ITS-CSEA (866-487-2732).
Donate by payroll deduction: Download the Assistance Fund Payroll Deduction Form (PDF)
Donate via AmazonSmile: Amazon will donate .5% of your purchases for the Assistance Fund.
Designating the CSEA Assistance Fund as your charity on Amazon Smile is easy. Follow these step by step directions and help keep this fund strong.
- Go to https://smile.amazon.com
- Log in if you have an Amazon account or create an account
- Search for CSEA Assistance Fund
- Select CSEA Assistance Fund, location San Jose
- Go to smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com to shop.
- Make it easy by bookmarking the page for future use.
Every dollar is appreciated and goes directly to helping your CSEA brothers and sisters in need.
Other ways to contribute
Other ways to contribute
Welk Resort Raffle
Win a seven-day vacation at the beautiful Welk Resort in Escondido, San Diego. For more information regarding the raffle prize, please refer to the flyer. Call Member Benefits at 866-487-2732 to purchase your raffle ticket today. Tickets are not limited, buy as many as you'd like for a higher chance to win your next vacation! One ticket is $10 or three for $20. The winner will be drawn February 26, 2021 and the final day to purchase tickets is February 25, 2021.
Live Auction
Saturday, February 20th from 2:30 to 4 p.m., the CSEA Humanitarian Fund Committee will hold a live auction. Never bid before in a live auction? Here’s your chance. Interested in seeing what it’s all about? Come out and watch the action. Attendees need to fill out the registration form to get the link.
Silent Auction
Starting February 1st, items will be available to bid on in Bidding Owl, including one-of-a-kind handmade items, an iPad and a Smart TV. These items are generously donated by members, staff and benefit providers.
