May 7, 2024 — A bright spring morning became much brighter for more than 1,800 members of the Albany community visiting the second annual PEF Wellness Fair & Book Giveaway on April 27. The collaboration between PEF and AFT distributed 20,000 books for readers of all ages to take home and offered nearly 40 informational booths from local New York businesses and public service agencies to educate the community on how to best utilize services offered in New York.
The free fair was created by PEF in 2022. Following the pandemic, the PEF Black Caucus wanted a way to bring health and wellness information to PEF members. However, as the idea developed and grew, the fair evolved into a way to say thank you to the community and let them know that unions and public sector workers care about them.
As they did last year, thousands of community members entered the Washington Avenue Armory in downtown Albany to find books and information suitable for their family. Families could take home up to 10 free books and educators were welcome to fill their classrooms with 40 books.
In addition to the book giveaway, the fair focuses on connecting members of the community with resources that can help them take care of themselves and their families. This year, several state agencies made their way to the Armory, including the Department of Taxation and Finance, the Office of Mental Health, and even the State Comptroller’s Office of Unclaimed Funds, which helped community members find money from “lost” accounts.
Community agencies like Hannaford, CDPHP and Trinity Alliance were also on hand. Each agency offered sneak peeks at services they provide, like free blood pressure screenings.
Beech-Nut, a baby food company located in Amsterdam, N.Y., tabled at the event and donated toddler food and snacks to community members who visited their booth. The food offered by Beech-Nut focuses on delivering “hidden veggies” and probiotics for growing newborns as young as eight-months-old.
Outside the Armory, members of the community were welcomed into a mobile van run by the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services. Fire Safety instructors from the department went through tips and tricks for community members to stay safe in case of a house fire caused by everyday kitchen appliances.
The fair was supposed to last only one year, according to PEF President Wayne Spence.
“When we did it last year, it was supposed to be a one and done, but you didn’t let me off the hook,” Spence said to Albany County Executive Dan McCoy during his kickoff remarks. “I’m glad you encouraged me to do this again.”
Half of the event focuses on delivering books to the hands of children and families, as well as schools and libraries. The “Reading Opens the World” initiative is spearheaded by AFT, the international parent union of PEF and NYSUT (New York State United Teachers). The initiative travels the country and holds events.
“So far we’ve been able to give 2 million books to families across New York,” said NYSUT President Melinda Person. “Thank you, Wayne, for providing this opportunity for families to come together to learn about wellness and literacy. Your leadership in this area is so respected.”
Assemblymember John McDonald III (D-AD 108) attended the event as well. McDonald thanked PEF and Spence for bringing the event, the agencies, and many nonprofits under the same roof, but also thanked everyone for valuing something important to him: Literacy.
“Reading is probably the most important aspect for people to be able to form opinion and make their own thoughts,” said McDonald. “I want to really thank the leadership of AFT and specifically Wayne Spence for bringing us together.”
Albany County Executive McCoy championed the success of the event, and the power of unions to bring together the community while also doing their jobs as state workers.
“It just shows you how the unions are the backbone of our community,” said McCoy. “Not only are they out there doing their job around the state, they’re actually giving back every day doing stuff like this.”
AFT’s partnership with PEF helps to make this event possible, as they work to make the books available in large quantities for community members. Amy Hickey, AFT’s Assistant Director of Public Employees, thanked PEF, staff and others for their role in helping to bring the event to the armory, and a big success.
“We have done these kinds of giveaways in dozens, even hundreds of locations now, and we are approaching our 10 millionth book giveaway soon,” said Hickey. “I couldn’t be prouder of the work that our union does on real solutions for kids in communities to make sure that literacy is promoted, and kids have the resources they need to succeed.”
