Unionized state employees give back to their community in many ways.

One of them is by aiding health and human services organizations in New York by donating to the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA).

This year, there’s an extra giveback: SEFA is going green.

That’s more than a slogan to SEFA, which collected more than $9.1 million from state employees during its 2009 fund drive. The concept is reflected in the organization’s ad campaign poster, which depicts the shape of a heart with a photo of the world inside being held by hands. The slogan: “Going Green so that your contribution goes further. Please give today!”

SEFA will also print fewer brochures and other fundraising materials than in the past. Instead, they will be accessible electronically at www.sefanys.org.

“By going green, SEFA is responding to a global concern by doing things in a more environmentally friendly way,” said Suzanne Maloney, statewide SEFA director. “This way, more of a donor’s contribution will be used for SEFA.”

“SEFA is a real-life partnership between labor and management, extending a helping hand to those who need help,” said UUP President Phil Smith, who last year served as labor co-chair for the annual fund drive. “At work, in our neighborhoods and through donations to SEFA, union members show that they care about their communities and want to give back.”

UUP and seven other unions are taking part, including the Civil Service Employees Association and the Public Employees Federation.

Nearly 4,000 New York health care and human service agencies qualify to receive SEFA funds. Along with aiding those in crisis situations, SEFA dollars also go to social and community development programs, such as summer camps, after-school programs, home care for senior citizens, and services for people with catastrophic illnesses.

Employees can choose agencies to donate to through SEFA. Employees need only to fill out pledge cards, to be paid in full or automatically deducted from paychecks.

SEFA campaign kickoff parties have been or will be held in most offices around the state, although agencies in each of the campaign’s 22 regions will hold larger events.

For more details, go to www.sefanys.org.

The campaign ends Dec. 31.

— Michael Lisi