Insurance man gives back to community
by JILL SCHMELZER

Gregory Leifer

Gregory Leifer believes everyone should get involved and give back to the community.

After he graduated from college and moved back to Western New York, a friend introduced him to the not-for-profit world, and he was asked to join a board of directors.

"Someone thought that highly of me to ask if I would highly of me to ask if I would get involved with the agency," said Leifer, noting that he has been involved ever since.

But once Leifer feels he has spent his time wisely, and he has done as much as he can for an organization, he then recommends that someone else join the board of directors in his place.

"It engages more people in the community," he said.

After Leifer leaves an agency, he joins another. He learns of the board of directors vacancies through other volunteers.

The Amherst man is currently a board member for four not-for-profit agencies as well as spending his days at his career job at Scott Danahy his career job at Scott Danahy Naylon, where he sells life insurance, property and casualty insurance and employee benefits to companies.

Leifer has been an insurance broker for more than 20 years, which is about the same time he began his volunteer work.

One agency whose board he currently serves is the Jewish Family Services of Buffalo and Erie County.

"I got involved because it is important to give back to the community," Leifer said. "There are so many agencies that need help."

As a board member he makes sure an agency is financially healthy. He works with the rest of the members to develop a budget for the organization and acts as a bargaining unit for salaries, unions and employee benefits.

Federal and state funding has been reduced for most not-for-profit agencies, making the maintenance of funding another large part of the board's responsibilities for ensuring the continuation of the organization's services.

Jewish Family Services provides aid for people with mental health issues, including gambling addictions and eating disorders. The organization also assists with adoption and immigration processes.

Another group Leifer is active with is the Ahavas Sholom Cemetery in Niagara Falls, N.Y. It is a small cemetery where many of his relatives are buried. As a board member he raises funds for grounds maintenance and caregiver services.

"I help out of respect to my family that is buried there," Leifer said, noting that the cemetery is the final resting place of his grandparents and great-grandparents,

For many not-for-profit agencies, a majority of the success comes from the work of volunteers. Leifer noted that so many of these organizations deliver services that are much needed by the community.

"This is all about giving back to the community I was raised in, work in and live in," Leifer said, noting he does this because it is rewarding to know that the end users of the service are getting the help they need.

After Leifer was introduced to the volunteer world, he developed a "flavor" for it, and it only grew from there. He has helped many agencies for the past several years.

He suggested that other members of the community get involved.

"Pick a few you think are good," he said. "Then (once you donate some of your time) move on from those and pick new ones. Make other people make people aware of that organization."

Leifer said it is an ongoing cycle - a "snowball effect." He also said that boards need changes to maintain a concrete foundation.

"Just find one and learn about it. Join the board and help it grow," Leifer said. "Otherwise these (agencies) will die a slow death."

Some local not-for-profit organizations that may need volunteers include The Jewish Family Services of Buffalo and Erie County; The Jewish Federation, which provides low income housing for senior citizens; The American Red Cross; United Way; Summit Educational Resources; and The Western New York Spinal Support group.

The insurance brokerage firm where Leifer works is located at 300 Spindrift Drive in Amherst.

If you have a suggestion for someone to feature in this column, send it to Jill Schmelzer, Amherst Bee, lifestyles coordinator, P.O. Box 150, Buffalo, N.Y. 14231-0150, or call 204-4914.