BENEFITS FOR YOU
Union Plus Holiday Giveback
CSEA members receive $1,000 in Union Plus Holiday Giveback Campaign
The holidays are undoubtedly a time for giving and selfless acts, as you think of ways to shower others with love and admiration. CSEA members demonstrated just this, by acting as secret Santas and nominating their colleagues for the Union Plus’ Holiday Giveback Campaign.
The campaign had no strings attached and no catch. You just simply needed to post a video nomination to Instagram using the hashtags #UnionPlusGiveAGrand and #Contest or submit a video or written nomination. In return, Union Plus gave away $1,000 to 100 union members around the country during the holiday season.
Union Plus received 114 nominations from CSEA members. There were originally 10 winners who were notified from the organization, and several accepted the prize. Three of the nominations were video and the rest were written.
“As always, when it comes to everything from our contests to our scholarships, CSEA performs beyond what might be expected of a union its size,” said Keith T.W. Anderko, Union Service Representative.
Below are highlights from some of the CSEA members:
Jeleesa Massey
Yosemite CCD Chapter 420
Nominated by Martha Lee
I first met Jeleesa in 2013. She started in Allied Health as a student worker. When I returned to work from a leave due to my husband’s passing, Jeleesa had already been working in our office for a few weeks. One of my first memories of Jeleesa is the poem she wrote and gave to me in sympathy for my loss. I knew immediately that Jeleesa was kind and compassionate, but I also knew immediately that she was bright, intelligent, resourceful and a team player. … During the COVID crisis, Jeleesa needed to set up a system where applicants can submit required documentation and health clearance forms electronically. All of these changes had to take place for hundreds of students within a very short time period and under extremely stressful working conditions. She did an excellent job!
Paul Torres
State Center College Chapter 379
Nominated by Maria Trujillo
As the Senior Program Specialist for Student Activities at Madera Community College (MCC), Paul Torres plays a key role in mentoring student leaders and hosting events that foster a welcoming and inclusive student life environment. At MCC, Paul wears many hats and is often the mastermind of new programs and activities. With a national movement centered around meeting basic student needs, Paul was instrumental in establishing Madera Community Colleges' food pantry: The Lions Den. As a campus community, we were thrilled to celebrate the opening of the Lions Den in January 2020. … Since the pandemic began and the stay-at-home orders have been in place, Paul has been faithfully working with our local Food Bank to ensure that we have the items needed for our bi-weekly drive-thru food distributions.
Beatriz Loez Gonzalez
Pajaro Valley Chapter 132
Beatriz Loez works with PVUSD for 16 years. She researches resources for families, even on her vacation or off time. During shelter in place, she spent her own money on making a home office with necessary equipment: good office chair, printer, extra cell phone line, exclusively to connect with families. … This summer, she kept that cell line open and answered to parents — and she was not on payroll. … She grew up where women had to fight for their education and she did that since 3rd grade. At 13 years of age, she worked to pay for her school tuition and most necessities. … Now with her family of four kids and two grandkids, all in one home, they are thriving.
Gloria Riehle
Hesperia Unified Chapter 684
Nominated by Leticia Flores
This is an employee that deserves to win this contest as she is always willing to help anyone in need. Her heart and thoughtfulness is enormous and rare nowadays!!! Gloria is a cafeteria employee that has been with HUSD for over 20 years and is known for her "firecracker character," her honesty, being a hard worker and reliable. She is loved by everyone she works with as well as our students! … She encompasses sooo much of what we all should aspire to be as employees and as humans.
Lisa Burke
Los Alamitos Chapter 324
Nominated by Brenda Juarez
I'm nominating Lisa Burke because she always goes above and beyond to help those in need. She works in a Special Education Class assisting one student specifically and she will miss out on her break when her student does not understand the material the teacher is presenting. She always puts her job, her family, her students first before she thinks of herself. … She wants all students she works with to exceed and, even when her day has ended, she always asks colleagues and teachers if there is anything they need help with before she leaves her shift. Lisa is a heartwarming person; she is kind and very deserving of this gift.
Ashley Bingham
Patterson Unified Chapter 174
I had mixed feelings about writing this entry on my own behalf. If I have learned anything, it is that you have to stand up for yourself. Three years ago, I lost my father at the age of 55 to stage IV prostate cancer. He was the sole provider of my stepmother and five siblings between the ages of 5 and 17. He passed away in a decaying RV, witnessed by 3 children under 13. I have now been a single guardian of my brother and sister who are 8 and 16, respectively, for three years. However, due to my brother's special needs demands and distance learning schedule, I incurred a salary loss for three months due to his distance learning demands. … I am a paraeducator in the severe autism preschool program and have been a union member for a year now. I am very fortunate for my Union and work to be an engaged member. This is just an excerpt of our lives, and I felt like it was time to share it.
Kristine Greathouse
Hesperia Unified Chapter 684
Nominated by Kim Giacalone
Kristine is a very dedicated employee, daughter, mother and grandmother. … She has had to face some very difficult situations this year. … All the while she has still managed to come to work every day with a smile on her face and the willingness to help anybody with anything. She has such a big heart and is truly an amazing woman. … I cannot express enough how deserving she is of this opportunity. We need more people like Kristine in the world today and I can only hope to be as selfless and caring as she is.
