State Employee Charitable Campaign Chalks Up Another Record Contribution

In what has become a tradition of giving, this area's State employees have contributed a record $109,899 as part of their annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC). The SECC benefits various charitable organizations in Laredo, the surrounding area and the State.

Thirty state agencies participate in the Campaign. This year, 1,127 employees participated, a 16.15% increase over last year's campaign total of $94,621, said Elizabeth N. Martínez, SECC Campaign co-chair and Texas A&M International University associate vice president for finance and administration.

"We've seen some very impressive growth in the campaign this year. For example, Laredo Community College raised over $25,000, an 88% increase over last year," Martínez said.

Campaign co-chair is Gloria Jackson, volunteer coordinator for Region 11, Texas Department of Health and Human Services. She noted that the major part of monies raised assist the local United Way.

"This year, 67.51% of contributions are designated to the United Way, which allocates to 25 charitable groups," Jackson said.

Peggy Duncan, United Way executive director, concurred.

"This is vital for the programs we support. Our SECC goal at the inception of the Campaign was $55,000 and 135% of the division's goal was raised. It makes a crucial difference," she said.

Martinez was pleased that SECC agency giving is up.

"We are working together to make a difference and our state agencies have increased their level of giving over last year. TAMIU remains the largest contributor at $38,509, but increases came from the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Public Safety, Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Office of the Attorney General, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice," she said.

Jackson said the campaign's success is fueled by commitment from all involved.

"Our thanks go out to the State employees of this area as well as to the coordinators whose combined efforts ensure the success of this campaign," Jackson said.

Statewide, the 2004 SECC campaigns generated slightly over $8 million, an increase from the 2003 campaign total of $7.7 million.

For more information about the 2005 SECC campaign, contact Elizabeth Martínez at 326.2380, or Gloria Jackson at 764-6236.