In 1990, parole officer Sue Jeffords was at a union stewards meeting when a man slipped a $50 bill into her hand.

That donation started a tradition that continues today. Every December, Region 8 of the New York State Public Employees Federation (PEF), an affiliate of AFT Public Employees, collects food and toy donations so that parolees and their families can have food and gifts for the holidays.

"I see what my families don't have," says Jeffords, who has been a parole officer for 20 years. "If I had to take money out of my own pocket, I was going to do that."

Jeffords continues to organize the annual effort today. Most of the food and toys are collected as admission to Region 8's holiday party, but donations also are made throughout December at PEF headquarters, Division of Parole offices and at other state offices throughout Region 8, which encompasses Albany and surrounding areas.

Part of the tradition includes a gift-wrapping party where gift boxes are assembled by PEF members and their children--and readied for delivery Christmas week by the parole officers who work with the selected families.

"This has become a special event that my family and others in Region 8 look forward to every year," says PEF president Roger Benson, who was at the Dec. 21 gift-wrapping party with his wife, Edye, and their son, Alexander. "It's fun when we all come together to select and wrap these toys for children and families who might not have much else to enjoy over the holidays."

Jeffords says the gift boxes are given to select "families of parolees who are making a good effort to transition back into the community as responsible, law-abiding citizens." The volunteers at the gift-wrapping party choose families from a list of nominations that have been made by parole officers. Each gift box is personalized based on each family's needs. Over the years, the program also has been extended to victims of parolees.

"Everybody is very thankful," says Jeffords. "It is stuff they couldn't have supplied themselves."