FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Contact: Gayla Vandelicht, (573)751-6846
Blunt Encourages State Employees to Participate in Charitable Campaign
JEFFERSON CITY—Gov. Matt Blunt today announced the kick-off of the 2006 Missouri State Employees Charitable Campaign (MSECC). Last year state employees donated more than $1.1 million through MSECC.
"Missouri has been blessed with generous employees who understand the value of giving back to their communities," Blunt said. "It is their commitment to giving that helps enable worthy organizations to continue their causes."
MSECC gives state employees a convenient, cost effective way to contribute to participating charitable organizations through payroll deduction or a one-time donation.
MSECC began in 1985. Since that time, state employees have donated more than $16.4 million to local, statewide and national charitable organizations. Last year, employees donated more than $1.1 million to more than 1200 different charitable organizations.
"I am pleased to participate in this campaign and join state employees as they support numerous charitable organizations. I am confident charities will again benefit from Missouri state employees' goodwill and generosity," Commissioner Mike Keathley said.
This year’s kick-off event featured displays by participating charitable organizations from around the state that represent the more than one thousand charitable organizations state employees may choose from when making their contributions.
"Hundreds of state employees volunteer their time to make this campaign work," said Gayla Vandelicht, MSECC manager. "Each department has a coordinator who recruits as many volunteers as they need to make sure all state employees have an opportunity to contribute."
Volunteers help promote the Campaign’s "buck-a-month" program, showing that every donation is important, large or small.