UConn’s portion of the 2011 Connecticut State Employee Charitable Campaign (CSEC) begins this week, against the backdrop of a tough economy. But campaign chair Brandon Murray is optimistic that UConn faculty and staff will find a way to dig deep and help those less fortunate by donating to one of the hundreds of causes supported through the campaign.
“Yes, times are tough,” says Murray, “and yes, we don’t know when the next shoe will drop. But state employees have a four-year no-layoff guarantee, and that’s worth its weight in gold. I hope it also will be worth at least $1 a paycheck – $26 a year. That’s a tiny fraction of our earnings.”
In the past, UConn and the UConn Health Center have raised more money for the overall state campaign than any other state agency. Murray hopes to increase the number of participants and to further increase the total amount donated. Donations can be made as a one-time gift or through payroll deduction, and are tax deductible.
In 2010, Storrs faculty and staff contributed more than $117, 000, while contributions from the UConn Health Center amounted to over $86,000. The goal for 2011 is $120,000 in Storrs. In hopes of expanding participation, both the Storrs and Farmington campuses are again offering raffle prizes that anyone who fills out a card can win.
During the past decade, the annual campaign has raised millions of dollars – including more than $2 million from UConn and its Health Center alone – in support of charities including local soup kitchens and homeless shelters, arts organizations in Connecticut, environmental groups, international relief agencies, funding for researchers seeking clues to many different intractable diseases, and more. Overall there are nine federations and more than 700 charities involved in the 2011 campaign.
Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy underscores the importance of the campaign in a statement:
“The impact that your generosity has on our state, our nation, and the world is immeasurable. Be assured that every dollar pledged to the CSEC changes the life of a person that you may never meet, but is better off because of you,” he says.
In an effort to conserve resources, the charitable campaign booklet listing the participating agencies is available online only. Pledge cards also are located at the site, but they must be printed out, signed, and returned to Murray, the campus coordinator.
“The University contributes mightily to our state and, especially, to every community with a UConn campus,” says University President Susan Herbst. “The State Employees Charitable Campaign gives each of us an opportunity to make our own individual contribution to an organization of our choice, helping build a stronger, healthier, more exciting, and better Connecticut.”
The Storrs campaign officially runs through Nov. 15. The Health Center’s effort continues until Dec. 5. Both campuses, however, will accept pledge cards until the end of the calendar year. For more information, please visit UConn’s campaign website.
