Nov, 16, 2007: Closing message from the 2007 Campaign Chair

Dear UTMB Friends and Colleagues,

When I was asked to chair the 2007 State Employee Charitable Campaign, I was warned it took a lot of work and energy. Now, with the deadline here and the campaign almost over, it’s hard to believe how fast the time has passed, and how much I’ve enjoyed visiting with many of you and being a part of this incredibly important effort.

I’m very pleased at what we’ve accomplished, and very thankful for the support offered by more than 3,100 of you. It seems likely--and I remain hopeful--that by the close of the campaign we will have collected more than $700,000. That sum will do an incredible amount of good in our communities, near and far.

For those who plan to contribute but have not yet had a chance, you still have time. While the campaign formally ends Saturday, the web site is still up and available for you, and we’ll still gratefully accept your paper pledge forms. Visit www.utmb.edu/secc.

For the many who gave this year for the first time, a special “Thank You.” I hope your generosity brings you the joy of sharing, and that we’ll see you again next year. I also appreciate the many areas who worked so hard to get to or close to 100% participation; your efforts were noticed and you motivated the rest of us. For those who support us every year, whether with $5 or $500, you are my bedrock, our foundation, just great folks. Thank you very much again, on behalf of all those who will benefit from your gift.

I look forward to reporting back to you with final SECC numbers in December. In the meantime, I hope you and your loved ones have a fantastic Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season.

With much appreciation and admiration,

Dr. C. Joan Richardson
Professor, Osler Scholar, Vice Chair of Pediatrics and
2007 State Employee Charitable Campaign Chair

(See the December 2007 Town Hall meeting where a final report on SECC was presented.)

 Nov. 15, 2007: FINAL DAYS of State Employee Charitable Campaign are here

Earlier this week, the UTMB community surpassed its $650,000 contribution goal, and today current dollars and pledges are above the $680,000 mark. More than 3,140 employees--roughly 24% of the university's workforce--have supported the campaign. THANK YOU to the many who have already shared so kindly.

The State Employee Charitable Campaign officially ends Nov. 17. If you have not already done so, please consider making a pledge today; be part of a life-changing experience. Incentives include a weekly drawing, hotel stays, and a raffle for a $1000 travel voucher for those who give online. A small "thank you" gift will be sent to all who participate, but the greatest reason to give is to know that you've done good, helped others, made the world a little better.

Pledges can be made online or on paper. If you need assistance with any SECC-related issue, please call (409) 747-8825 or 772-7834.

• See how we're doing now.
• Make your pledge today.

Nov. 13, 2007 (6 p.m.):  Over the top on cash goal!
On Tuesday afternoon, the UTMB community blew the top off the campaign thermometer, passing the $650,000 pledge goal and approaching 3,000 employee participants. Thank you to the many who have already shared so kindly. The State Employee Charitable campaign ends Nov. 17. The pledge goal was $650,000; can we make $750,000? How close can we come to 51% participation? Please consider making a pledge today; be part of a life-changing experience. Incentives include a weekly drawing, hotel stays, and a raffle for a $1000 travel voucher for those who give online. A small “thank you” gift will be sent to all who participate. If you need assistance with any SECC-related issue, call (409) 747-8825 or 772-7834.

• See how we're doing now.
• Make your pledge today.

Nov. 13, 2007: LAST DAYS of SEC campaign are here; VERY CLOSE to cash goal today
The State Employee Charitable campaign ends Nov. 17. With just a FEW DAYS left, the campaign is very near the $645,000 mark with participation from more than 2,900 UTMB employees. Thank you to the many who have already shared so kindly. The goals are $650,000 and 51% participation. Please consider making a pledge today; be part of a life-changing experience. Incentives include a weekly drawing, hotel stays, and a raffle for a $1000 travel voucher for those who give online. A small “thank you” gift will be sent to all who participate. Get information, visit agencies, access forms, see how your area is doing, and make your pledge at www.utmb.edu/secc. If you need assistance with any SECC-related issue, call (409) 747-8825.

Nov. 9, 2007: FINAL WEEK of SECC is here; campaign nears $600,000
The State Employee Charitable campaign ends Nov. 17. With just a week left, the campaign has garnered more than $588,000 from 2,500 employees, or about 19%, of UTMB’s employees. The goals are $650,000 and 51% participation. Please consider making a pledge today; be part of a life-changing experience. Incentives include a weekly drawing, hotel stays, and a raffle for a $1000 travel voucher for those who give online. A small “thank you” gift will be sent to all who participate. If you need assistance with any SECC-related issue, call (409) 747-8825.

Nov. 6, 2007: Third prize winner announced, campaign nears $554K
Congratulations to Frances Gambino, a secretary in UTMB's Sealy Center on Aging and winner of a $100 gift certificate to Chili's. Thanks to the support of Frances and more than 2,000 other UTMB employees, pledges and contributions to the SECC  are now nearing $554,000. The campaign deadline will soon be here; please make your pledge today.   See the areas that have reached 100% participation.

Nov. 2. 2007 Update: SECC passes half-million dollar mark! Participation on the rise…
As the State Employee Charitable Campaign enters its last two weeks, it hit a major milestone: its passed $500,000 in pledges and contributions on the way to its $650,000 goal. Participation also saw a nice jump this week, now at 15 percent. Pledges made online today by 5 p.m. will be entered in a weekly drawing for a $100 dinner certificate, and a $1000 travel voucher will be given away to a lucky winner at the end of the campaign. Read a poignant story about why every gift of any amount is important… See the areas that have 100% participation. Make your pledge now.

By day he’s a mild mannered chief nursing officer. But when the call goes out for help from communities and charities in need, he becomes the mighty SECC Man! Here, Assistant VP for Patient Care & Chief Nursing Officer David Marshall dons a costume on Halloween to help stir up support for the SECC, flanked by his SECC sidekicks Cheryl Day (left) and Dorothy J. Jones-Shankle. 

Oct. 31 Update

Campaign Chair Dr. Joan Richardson was beating the pavement at the Primary Care Pavilion on Oct. 31.

The campaign is approaching the $440,000 mark and participation is at 12% (16,000 employees). Make your pledge today.

Congratulations to Nan Edmundson, a senior secretary in
PMCH - Biostatistics, and winner of the second weekly SECC prize drawing, a $100 gift certificate to Chili's restaurant. Nan, congratulations and thanks for supporting the campaign.

The next drawing will be Friday, Nov. 2. Make your pledge by 5 p.m. to be included in the drawing.

Take advantage of this great and easy opportunity to support a cause that’s important to you. Be part of a life-changing experience!

SECC 2007 is off to a record-setting start; SECC hits the road
On Friday, Oct. 12, SECC Chair  Dr. Joan Richardson officially launched the 2007 campaign at a kickoff and agency fair. The large crowds and representatives of dozens of charities enjoyed the great weather, food and music, and helped get the campaign off on its  best start ever. By mid-afternoon, approximately 500 of UTMB's generous employees had already pushed us beyond the $100,000 mark toward the $650,000 goal! (See how we're doing now.)  

Congratulations to David Green, a systems analyst in Pediatrics, who made his pledge online and won the first weekly drawing, this one a $100 gift certificate to Rudy & Pacos. Make your pledge now to get in on the next drawing...

If you didn’t make it to the kickoff earlier this month, there are more chances to come out for free treats and great information. Campaign volunteers were in the John Sealy Hospital main hallway on Friday, Oct. 26, and will be in the Primary Care Pavilion Oct. 31.  Take a guess at how many M&Ms are in the SECC jar, or make your pledge on the spot and get a special gift. Make your pledge online to be entered in a drawing for a $100 dinner certificate given away each week. Take advantage of this great and easy opportunity to support a cause that’s important to you. Be part of a life-changing experience! Can't make it in person? Give online...

The popular "Guessing Game" returns. This time peanut M&Ms are on the line. For a dollar a guess, the jar could be yours.

More than 40 employees took advantage of laptops to make their pledges at the event.

Agency representatives had an opportunity to tell their stories.

Life is good. It’s not always easy, it’s not always free from pain or hardship, but it’s still good. We have a chance each year to help make it even better, better for ourselves and better for many others who might be struggling with hardship or pain.

That opportunity comes through the State Employee Charitable Campaign, and when asked to chair it this year, I knew my only answer was “yes.” Here I am, extending my hand and asking your support to help change lives for the better.

Through the SECC, it’s easy to make a truly meaningful and important gift to a cause that matters to you, that helps people or supports causes in your own community or in distant lands. Whether you are a UTMB employee in Galveston or in one of our facilities throughout the state, whether your heart and dollars favor people, pets, the environment or something else, the SECC offers a simple way to support the causes that are important to you. As a “baby doc,” I see on an almost daily basis both the need for and the positive impact of many of the SECC charities, and I am sure you see those needs, too. The SECC is a way to make life better by being part of the solution. It feels good to give, and if you opt to use online payroll deduction, it’s remarkably quick and easy.

If you work on or will be near the Galveston campus on Oct. 12, I invite you to come join us at a kickoff event and agency fair from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Moody Medical Library Plaza. The campaign runs through Nov. 17. We have ambitious goals and some great incentives this year. I welcome the many who have supported us in the past to come back and be as generous as they can be. I really encourage those who haven’t participated to give it a try. Watch for announcements and news throughout the campaign, and if you have any questions or need any assistance, drop me or one of the campaign volunteers a note.

Remember, life is good. It’s great. Let’s make it even better for those less fortunate..

Dr. C. Joan Richardson
Professor, Osler Scholar, Vice Chair of Pediatrics and
2007 State Employee Charitable Campaign Chair

The 2007 Campaign At A Glance

Campaign dates: Oct. 12 - Nov. 17

PIN letters: Emailed week of Oct. 8

Dollar goal: $650,000

Participation goal: 51%

Incentives:
Weekly drawings for dinners, drawings for two hotel stays and a $1000 travel voucher for online givers. “Thank you” gift to everyone that supports campaign.

We are "Open for Business" and off to a great start!
 

• A complete listing of charitable organizations is offered online and in the brochure on the state SECC site (.pdf, large download).
   
• To make your gift online: If you are ready to make your pledge and want to do so online, go here.
   
• To make your gift using a paper form: Download the pledge form, fill in the blanks and choose your charity. Send it in with your contribution or pledge to SECC, UT Box 35088, Rt. 5088.
   
• Need help? Want a form or packet sent to you? Call (409) 747-8825 or contact us...