Coaches, Staff Exceed Charitable Giving Goal

BY JIM WHITE

RALEIGH, N.C. – Started in 1984 by Governor Jim Hunt, the State Employees Combined Campaign (SECC) is the only campaign authorized to solicit charitable contributions in the state employee workplace. Every fall, a University-wide campaign is conducted and in recent years more than $500,000 has been raised to benefit charities from a list of nearly 900 eligible organizations.

An Uncertain Year

This year we were uncertain how the athletics department giving would go since we're still dealing with  a struggling economy. But our coaches and staff stepped up and we surpassed our goal of $12,000 with $12,591 contributed.  We had 59 donors give to the campaign, which means we still have the potential to reach higher goals next year. It is the second highest amount  ever raised by the athletics department.

The university is short of its goal of $525,000 but hopes to close that gap in the next two weeks. 

Who Received the Support of Athletics?

It's interesting to note the charities and causes our employees chose to support. Health Care Services, which fund most health research and education, were by far the largest group of recipients and included: The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the American Diabetes Association, the Jimmy V Foundation, Komen Cancer Foundation, Sickle Cell Disease Association, Alzheimer's and Aging Research, ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), March of Dimes, Parkinson's research, Autism Society of NC, Muscular Dystrophy, and Multiple Sclerosis.

Food assistance programs and disaster relief were popular, such as the Food Bank of NC, Operation Blessing, Stop Hunger Now, Catholic Relief Services, Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross and Raleigh Rescue Mission.

Many youth charities were selected by our staff, such as the Ronald McDonald House, Duke Children's Hospital, YMCA, Boy Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the Literacy Council of Wake County and Canines for Disabled Kids. 

Care for the terminally ill hit a nerve as many chose to support Hospice of Wake County.  Faith-based organizations such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes received support.  Also, animal protection charities fared well, such as SPCA and the Humane Society.

"We greatly appreciate those who gave to this year's campaign," said athletics director Lee Fowler. "It is a positive for our department and will make a difference to those in need now and to those who will benefit in future years through research that's being done today."