Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Contact: Diane Gresham, (573)751-4253
State Charitable Campaign Totals Announced-Blunt Applauds State Employees for Their Generosity
JEFFERSON CITY - Governor Matt Blunt applauded state employees for their outstanding generosity and support of the 2005 Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign (MSECC) on Feb. 9 at a ceremony in his office.
At the ceremony, Commissioner of Administration, Michael Keathley, announced that employee donations statewide totaled $1,110,700, an increase of over $114,200 from last year.
"Missouri state employees are well known for their generous gifts to those who are in need of the services provided by organizations funded through the charitable campaign. This level of compassion and support brings honor to Missouri, and I applaud the good and caring employees in state government," Blunt said.
The MSECC goal is to increase employee participation. The goal was resoundingly met again with a 9.5 percent increase in participation and an 11.5 percent increase in donations over last year. More than 10,490 state employees pledged donations to charitable organizations through the MSECC.
"The charitable campaign belongs to the employees of this state and helping them realize that collectively we are able to meet more needs, regardless of the size of our gifts, has encouraged greater participation, which is key to a successful campaign," said Diane Gresham, campaign manager.
During the past 20 years, state employees have donated more than $16.4 million to charitable organizations through the MSECC. Through this campaign effort, twenty-six United Ways in Missouri will receive more than $517,000. More than $970,000, totaling 88 percent of donations will be distributed to charitable organizations in Missouri communities and will have a significant impact statewide. The remaining 12 percent will go to national and international charities.
The statewide charitable campaign offers employees a wide choice of local, state and national charitable organizations they may pledge a donation to through payroll deduction or one-time donations. Coordinators and volunteers from all state agencies along with elected officials facilitate the annual effort in their workplaces, and they play a crucial role in the ongoing success of the charitable campaign.