CSEA and the Super-Library
Not long ago, Blodgett Elementary School in upstate New York was an educational nightmare: It had no science lab, no computers, no library.
Members open their wallets to help a needy elementary school.
By Clyde Weiss
Syracuse, New York
Not long ago, Blodgett Elementary School in upstate New York was an educational nightmare: It had no science lab, no computers, no library. Incredibly, 96 percent of fourth-graders tested in 1999 failed to meet state standards. But today, thanks to community groups, parents, foundations and union members, the future looks much brighter.
Among those sharing the credit for Blodgett's turnaround are thousands of members of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA)/AFSCME Local 1000, who donated to — and helped raise money for — a brand new library last November. What a library it is! Built through the efforts of a church-founded organization called Mercy Works Inc., it seems more like an amusement park, boasting an Egyptian-style entrance, a Jurassic jungle reading area — complete with erupting volcano — and other wonders.
In little more than a day in November, some 100 activists from 10 CSEA locals in Onondaga County canvassed their workplaces and area businesses for donations. They raised nearly $6,000. Blodgett Principal Patricia Lamanna says the money will be used to buy books and help complete the library's space-shuttle-like computer center.
A remarkable change
Newspaper reporters who visited the school just a few years ago found a very different place. "Inside, inner-city pupils struggle to get an education," the Associated Press reported in May 2000. "Outside, the worn-out playground is marred with spray-painted profanities, and teachers must sweep up broken bottles and spent packages of crack every Monday."
"It's in one of the poorest school districts in the country," agrees CSEA Central Region Pres. Jim Moore. "It's located right in the heart of the city of downtown Syracuse. It's a rough area."
A poor one, too. Lamanna says 92 percent of the school's 375 mostly African-American and Latino students are poverty-stricken. In 1998, a suburban church called Abundant Life Christian Center founded Mercy Works to raise money to build the state-of-the-art library. The project was still short of funding when CSEA members got involved.
Not just for bucks
Under the banner, "Making a Difference," the Central Region set out to get every local in the area involved in a community service project over a one-year period. "That way, when we go into contract negotiations, it doesn't seem like we're just looking for bucks — we're obviously a big part of the community," says Moore.
Among the projects was a book sale held at a CSEA regional conference, which raised $180. Moore turned to CSEA Communications Associate Mark Kotzin to find a children's reading program to which the sale proceeds could be donated. Kotzin, who knew of the Blodgett library project, set up a visit for himself and Moore.
Moore then proposed an area-wide fundraising blitz to the 10 Syracuse locals. "I told them that, from what I had seen, $180 wasn't going to cut the mustard. Big bucks were needed, so I asked the members if they'd like to take on a one-day fundraising drive" among the membership. The answer? An overwhelming yes vote.
'Bring the dream home'
CSEA officers made posters, prepared public service announcements and spread the word about the fundraiser, which now had a theme: "Give a Few to Help Bring the Dream Home." In addition, Moore conducted interviews with local radio and TV stations.
On the Monday following Thanksgiving, the 100 CSEA activists began collecting small donations from the union's rank and file, including secretaries and custodians who work at Blodgett Elementary.
"It's so moving to know that so many people care," says Principal Lamanna. "It really does warm your heart and gives you a good feeling about people. We can't thank the union members enough."
