State employees exceed goal for giving

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - State employees pledged $1.25 million during the 2008-2009 State Employee Community Campaign (SECC), a campaign that raises money for non-profits locally and throughout the world. 

The state set a goal of $1.2 million and hoped during these hard economic times that employee contributions would come close. The same goal was set during the previous campaign, but was not reached.

"I want to commend state employees for their generosity during this year's SECC drive," said First Lady Cheri Daniels. "The incredible response shows that Hoosiers truly are committed to helping others." The First Lady served as chair of the event.

More than 7,000 state employees pledged to approximately 1,600 charities during this year's SECC, making it the largest campaign in its 30-year history.

State agencies are encouraged to set goals for their agency. Eleven of the 130 agencies exceeded their goal. The Indiana Department of Revenue (IDOR) set a goal of $66,800 and received $97,051 in pledges.

Bill Bahler, IDOR human resources director and the agency's coordinator explained the response from his colleagues: "In our meetings this year our people expressed gratitude for their jobs, wanted to share with and help others, and felt SECC gave them the opportunity to make personal, meaningful contributions to our community. We knew something positive was happening but the outpouring actually surpassed our wildest imagination."

The SECC started in 1978 as a way for employees to donate to charities. Over the past 30 years state employees have pledged more than $20 million.