Texas Strong: Updates from the 2019 UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Here is all the latest news and tips about the 2019 UTSW SECC Campaign!
This year's campaign runs Oct. 3-Nov. 30 and UTSW’s goal is to raise $400,000.
To learn how to donate and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
Dec. 10, 2019
Our final amount raised, final department contribution standings, and final prize winners!
The 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign has come to a close, and UT Southwestern has shown just how much compassion we have. At campaign closing, we’ve raised $350,801 – that’s more than 20% over last year’s total! Thank you so much for your contributions – they’re going toward making our community and our world a better place.
Champions: If you have a department group activity contribution to make, you have until tomorrow for it to count toward our final total.
Here’s the next round of individual prize winners!
- The last of our Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Dr. Bethany Lussier, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine.
- The last of our tumblers go to Sandra Grant, Capital Improvement Program; Michael Chadee, Bryan Williams Student Center; and Clarissa Ward, Patient Financial Services.
Winners, congratulations, and thank you for contributing to the SECC! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
Here are the top 20 departments through the end of the campaign.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you ended up? Download the detailed report.
Dec. 3, 2019
Join the 5% of UTSW employees who have already given – you have an extra week
Yesterday, we announced the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign has been extended through this Friday, Dec. 6 and overnight, we broke $310,000. You have one more chance to make a difference and win some sweet prizes. Here’s the next round of individual prize winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Evelina Alcalen, Obstetrics & Gynecology.
- Our three tumblers go to Leah Taylor, Physiology; Melissa Wafford, Obstetrics & Gynecology; and Tabatha Richards Curry, Anesthesiology & Pain Management.
Winners, congratulations, and thank you for contributing to the SECC! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
Here are the top 20 departments through Dec. 1.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
Dec. 2, 2019
A note from the co-Chairs: SECC extended! One more week to give!
Dear Colleagues:
Over the past two months, UT Southwestern employees have raised $294,000 as part of the State Employee Charitable Campaign! This is great progress, considering only 5% of UT Southwestern’s employees have participated. A sincere thank you to those who have already given!
We saw such a significant increase in giving after our last message that we’ve decided to extend the campaign another week – to give those of you who have not yet participated a chance to contribute and to see how close we could get to our goal of $400,000. The new deadline to donate is this Friday, Dec. 6.
Are you still hesitating? Maybe we can help dispel some myths:
- You might think the SECC raises funds for a single charity. In fact, you can sign up to donate to any of several hundred state-vetted charities. Find your passion for giving! You can give to one or multiple charities you care about.
- You might think making a smaller donation won’t make much of a difference. But together, we can! If every UTSW employee gave just $25/year (roughly $1 per biweekly paycheck) to the SECC, we’d meet our $400,000 goal.
- You might think signing up to donate is too complicated – but it really only takes a few steps. Sign in to PeopleSoft, click the Payroll tile, and then select Make Charity Contribution. Fill out the form, and you’ve made a difference! (Remember, if you want to roll over your contributions from last year, you still need to access this form and check the “Rollover Previous FY” box.)
We hope you’ll kick off this holiday season by joining our effort to give back to our community.
Dr. Sandra Schmid
Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Arnim Dontes
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Nov. 26, 2019
It’s your last chance to get your payroll deduction entered for a chance to win a prize
Wow! We jumped nearly $50,000 since last week for a total of $257,000 raised! Want to help us reach our goal of $400,000 by the end of the campaign? Set up your giving through payroll deduction today. Remember, signing up to donate through payroll deduction enters you to win a sweet prize.
- Deduct any amount, and be entered to win one of 21 stainless steel vacuum tumblers.
- Deduct $5 or more per month (or make a one-time deduction of $60 or more) and be entered to win one of eight pairs of Dallas Mavericks tickets!
Here’s the next round of individual prize winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Diana Stevens, Internal Medicine – Pulmonary.
- Our three tumblers go to Wei Song, Psychiatry; Pamela Owens, Emergency Medicine; and Ginger Comstock, Supply Chain Management.
Winners, congratulations, and thank you for contributing to the SECC! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
Here are the top 20 departments through Nov. 24.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
Nov. 22, 2019
A note from the co-Chairs: Last week to give!
Colleagues:
We are more than halfway to our goal of raising $400,000 for the SECC – and we wanted to recognize the following departments for leading the campus in campaign contributions.
But we only have one week left. Please help us reach our goal by setting up payroll deduction through PeopleSoft. If every UTSW employee gives just $25/year (roughly $1 per biweekly paycheck) to the SECC, we would meet our goal.
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“As part of the No. 1 hospital in North Texas, let’s also show that we can be No. 1 in giving back to the communities and causes important to our patients.” – Dr. John Warner, Executive Vice President for Health System Affairs |
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“The SECC is such an easy way to give to multiple causes that mean so much to me; I encourage you to all join me in doing the same.” – Dr. Marc Nivet, Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement |
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“As a newcomer to Texas, I appreciate the ease of giving back to the community through the SECC campaign as it allows me to support national charities as well as the local organizations I wouldn’t otherwise be familiar with yet.” – Dr. W. P. Andrew Lee, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dean of the Medical School |
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We thank everyone who already has given and encourage everyone else to give in the spirit of this upcoming Thanksgiving week.
Dr. Sandra Schmid
Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Arnim Dontes
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Nov. 19, 2019
We’re halfway to our goal, with two weeks to go! Set up your payroll deduction today
We’ve made it halfway to our goal with $200,000 raised! Want to help us reach our goal of $400,000 by the end of the campaign? Set up your giving through payroll deduction today. Remember, signing up to donate through payroll deduction enters you to win a sweet prize.
- Deduct any amount, and be entered to win one of 21 stainless steel vacuum tumblers.
- Deduct $5 or more per month (or make a one-time deduction of $60 or more) and be entered to win one of eight pairs of Dallas Mavericks tickets!
Here’s the next round of individual prize winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to James Buckley III, Decision Support.
- Our three tumblers go to Judy Shaw, Psychiatry; Brittany Alaniz, Ambulatory Services; and Christine Pybus, Internal Medicine.
Winners, congratulations! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize. To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW. The earlier you enter your deductions, the more chances you have to win.
In this week’s department participation standings, we have a new member debuting on the board in the Platinum tier: Molecular Genetics. Here are the top 20 departments through Nov. 17.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
Nov. 14, 2019
Movies and candy and pumpkins and puppies: An SECC department activities roundup
With only a few weeks left in the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign, departments across UTSW are ramping up their efforts to contribute to the cause. Many are taking advantage of the holiday season with themed events; others are using the opportunity to show off their furry companions. Here’s a roundup of some of the more successful and exciting events so far to get you inspired to raise your own funds.
A photo contest for good boys and good girls
The Department of Microbiology once again held a pet photo contest to raise funds. Employees submitted their pets’ pictures and three votes cost $1. This year, the team raised $490 for the Humane Society of North Texas.
Mimsy, Roxie, and Rosie won the top three spots – all pets are equally good boys and girls.
A Platinum-tier bake sale
The Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research held a bake sale to benefit the American Cancer Society and raised $648 – moving the department back into the Platinum tier of giving.
A plethora of activities to keep things interesting
Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) has held five different activities to keep things exciting! First, their pumpkin decorating contest raised $228. The two winners were Megan Mead and Aaron Calmes (top photo). The department’s Favorite Pet Contest raised $220 and Mandy Weckman's pup Raider (bottom photo) won the most votes. Throughout the campaign, the department is sponsoring candy grams as well as jeans days, both of which have raised over $200 so far. Finally, SPA teamed up with Accounting to host a bake sale.
A few baskets full of goodies
Academic and Administrative Information Resources is holding a raffle to win a mystery box (with a mix of three $25 gift cards inside) or a themed gift basket. An electronics basket includes wireless earbuds, two Amazon Echo Dots, and a wireless charging pad; a beauty basket has fancy candles, lotions, and bath bombs; and a movies basket includes Alamo Drafthouse tickets, classic movie snacks, and playing cards). Good luck to the team!
A frightening – but tasty – greeting
The Department of Clinical Laboratory Services raised $1,110 for the Children’s Hunger Fund with “Boo Grams” delivered on Halloween. Department SECC champions Leena Patel and Tiffani Goodnow organized the effort, and more than 150 employees purchased Boo Grams for their friends and co-workers.
Nov. 12, 2019
Current standings and new prize winners
The latest total funds raised thanks to the generosity of the UT Southwestern community: $186,000! Pediatrics – Nephrology, Development, and the Office of Technology Development remain the dominant forces in this year’s campaign. Joining them in the Platinum tier this week are Community and Corporate Relations and the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research.
Here are the top 20 departments through Nov. 10.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
And now we have our third round of individual prize winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Willis Maddrey, Clinical Affairs Administration.
- Our three tumblers go to Kim Evans, Health System Quality Office; Landrae Box-Webb, Accounting; and Clevie Beavers, Medical/Surgical (12 Blue).
Winners, congratulations! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
Nov. 11, 2019
We need your help! Let’s meet our goal for the 2019 SECC (a message from the co-chairs)
To the UT Southwestern community:
Thank you to all employees who have contributed so far to the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign – the only statutorily authorized workplace charitable giving campaign for state agency and higher education employees in Texas launched nearly six weeks ago.
So far as an institution we’ve raised more than $160,000. This is an immense achievement, but we have a long way to go. This year, UTSW’s goal is to raise $400,000.
If every UTSW employee gave just $25/year (roughly $1 per biweekly paycheck) to the SECC, we’d meet that goal.
We invite you to join in our effort to turn compassion into action. Through November 30, UT Southwestern employees can sign up to donate to any of several hundred state-vetted charities through payroll deduction, or alternately make a cash donation through department activities. Donating is easy and convenient, and can be done entirely within PeopleSoft.
Many employees have shared their stories of creative ways to raise funds, and a few have won Dallas Mavericks tickets or a stainless steel tumbler for their contribution. We’re also sharing top departments in participation each week. Watch for updates on our progress throughout the campaign at utsouthwestern.edu/secc2019.
Dr. Sandra Schmid
Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Arnim Dontes
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Nov. 5, 2019
Another department debuts in the leaderboard in the Platinum tier; plus, more winners!
Another big fundraising milestone in the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign: $151,000! This week, Physiology surprised us with a big jump to the top tier! Internal Medicine – Rheumatology joined the leaderboard in Silver.
Here are the top 20 departments through Nov. 3.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
And now we have our third round of individual prize winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to David Berry, IR Health Systems.
- Our three tumblers go to Archana Cronjaeger, Hospital Facilities; Angie Rodriguez, Patient Financial Services; and Peggy Bartholomew, Quality Project Management and Informatics.
Winners, congratulations! Watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
Oct. 31, 2019
Department of Neuroscience raises $500 with chili cook-off
Cooler weather is here, and that means comfort food is back on our tables. The Department of Neuroscience recently hosted a chili cook-off to raise money for the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign – and contributions totaled $500!
Organized by department SECC Champions Trisha Savage and Pamela Jennings, the event received 11 entries and three winners were chosen by vote: Alexandra Brown, Research Assistant; Pamela Jennings, Grants and Contracts Specialist; and Kim Reetz, Sr. Administrative Assistant.
Want to share your department fundraising event? Send photos and a description to campus.updates@utsouthwestern.edu.
Oct. 29, 2019
Here are today's winners of the Dallas Mavericks tickets and UTSW stainless steel tumblers
The SECC is here to celebrate giving – and this time, we’re celebrating with prizes! All you have to do to win is sign up to donate through payroll deduction.
- Deduct any amount, and be entered to win one of 21 stainless steel vacuum tumblers.
- Deduct $5 or more per month (or make a one-time deduction of $60 or more) and be entered to win one of eight pairs of Dallas Mavericks tickets!
And we have our second round of winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Donna Oscarson, Medical Group Finance.
- Our three tumblers go to Kim Bowens, IR Infrastructure; Cathy McNeill, Digestive & Liver Diseases; and Marian Colorado, Purchasing.
Winners, watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
Not a winner? Check back next week – and every week through the end of the campaign – for more chances to win! To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW. The earlier you enter your deductions, the more chances you have to win.
Oct. 28, 2019
Which department went from Bronze to Platinum? Plus, four new departments join the leaderboard
We’re nearly halfway through 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign and we’ve raised more than $137,000.
In just one week, Development went from Bronze to Platinum status! Biophysics joined the leaderboard with their debut in Gold; and Health System Affairs Administration and Otolaryngology debuted with Silver status; and Supply Chain Management joined in Bronze.
Here are the top 20 departments through Oct. 27.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
Oct. 22, 2019
Announcing our first winners of Dallas Mavericks tickets and UTSW stainless steel tumblers
The SECC is here to celebrate giving – and this time, we’re celebrating with prizes! All you have to do to win is sign up to donate through payroll deduction.
- Deduct any amount, and be entered to win one of 21 stainless steel vacuum tumblers.
- Deduct $5 or more per month (or make a one-time deduction of $60 or more) and be entered to win one of eight pairs of Dallas Mavericks tickets!
And we have our first winners!
- This week's Dallas Mavericks tickets go to Dr. Jayne Coleman, Professor of Anesthesiology & Pain Management.
- Our three tumblers go to Alma Turner, Human Resources; Thomas Cutler, Academic and Administrative Information Resources; and Chenchita Malolan, Global Health.
Winners, watch your inboxes for details on claiming your prize.
Not a winner? Check back next week – and every week through the end of the campaign – for more chances to win! To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW. The earlier you enter your deductions, the more chances you have to win.
Oct. 21, 2019
Where does your department stand? Plus: A big milestone in overall contributions
Just over two weeks into the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign and we’ve raised more than $101,000. This great start is due to UTSW’s compassionate employees enrolling in payroll deduction (don’t forget: you could win Mavericks tickets!), and participating in department activities to raise funds. The competitive spirit is already high – let’s keep it going.
This year, to recognize top departments in contributions, we’re comparing them in a way that allows for a fairer assessment based on department size and amount of giving, rather than based purely on participation. Departments are ranked based on dollar amount raised, divided by the employee headcount of the department.
Then, we’ll give the top five departments Platinum status, the next five Gold status, then next five get Silver, and the next five get Bronze – recognizing the top 20 departments each week.
Now, to the good stuff: Here are the top 20 departments through Oct. 20.
Don’t see your department on the list, but still want to know where you stand? Download the detailed report.
Oct. 15, 2019
Donate through payroll deduction and you could win Dallas Mavericks tickets or a 20-ounce stainless steel vacuum tumbler
This year’s State Employee Charitable Campaign runs Oct. 3-Nov. 30 and UT Southwestern’s goal is to raise $400,000. If every UTSW employee gave just $25/year (roughly $1 per biweekly paycheck) to the SECC, we’d meet our goal.
The SECC is here to celebrate giving – and this time, we’re celebrating with prizes! All you have to do to win is sign up to donate through payroll deduction.
- Deduct any amount, and be entered to win one of 21 stainless steel vacuum tumblers.
- Deduct $5 or more per month (or make a one-time deduction of $60 or more) and be entered to win one of eight pairs of Dallas Mavericks tickets!
To learn how to donate through payroll deduction and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
- We’ll announce the winners of one pair of Mavericks tickets and three tumblers each week (with two more pairs of Mavericks tickets and three additional tumblers to be awarded after the end of the campaign).
- Look to see if you’ve won in Campus Update and at utsouthwestern.edu/secc2019 starting next week (Oct. 22) and each of the six weeks through the end (Nov. 26).
The earlier you enter your deductions, the more chances you have to win! (Once you’ve won, your name will be removed from future potential winners, but your name stays in the pool until you win!).
Oct. 8, 2019
Five days, $61,000 raised!
Just five days into the 2019 campaign and we've raised $61,000! Check out the thermometer in the sidebar to track our progress throughout the campaign. To learn how to join the effort, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
Oct. 4, 2019
A message from the SECC co-Chairs
The following is the all-campus message sent from SECC co-Chairs Arnim Dontes, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs, and Dr. Sandra Schmid, Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology.
To the UT Southwestern community:
At UT Southwestern, we strive to be known for our values of excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion – and today, we’re excited to share a way for you to turn your compassion into action.
This week, we launched the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign – the only statutorily authorized workplace charitable giving campaign for state agency and higher education employees in Texas. From now through November 30, UT Southwestern employees can sign up to donate to any of several hundred state-vetted charities through payroll deduction, or alternately make a cash donation through department activities.
This year, UTSW’s goal is to raise $400,000. If every UTSW employee gave just $25/year (roughly $1 per biweekly paycheck) to the SECC, we’d meet our goal.
All charities that participate must meet stringent legal requirements and then be evaluated by teams of state employees to ensure they are recognized by the IRS as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and registered with the Texas Secretary of State.
Yesterday, the University community gathered on McDermott Plaza and celebrated giving at the SECC kickoff event. We were thrilled to see so many UTSW employees eager to learn more about the charities involved and offer their help. Additional SECC events to learn more will occur at traveling information tables throughout the campaign.
We invite you to join in our effort. Donating is easy and convenient, and can be done entirely within PeopleSoft.
Watch for updates on our progress throughout the campaign at utsouthwestern.edu/secc2019.
Dr. Sandra Schmid
Professor and Chair, Department of Cell Biology
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Arnim Dontes
Executive Vice President for Business Affairs
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Oct. 3, 2019
Your charities, your stories, your SECC
For the 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign, we’re sharing stories of employees who have a special relationship with any of the hundreds of charities involved in the campaign. The following is a testimony from Elecia Hooper in the Accounting Department, who benefited from the work of one of those charities – Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Both Ms. Hooper and her husband, Nathan Hooper, work at UT Southwestern.
Our youngest son was born with a tethered spinal cord, which is a form of spina bifida occulta. While Austin’s situation is considered mild, insurance could not help us with emotional support we needed.
Enter Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. They introduced us to their spina bifida clinic and provided a wealth of information. Before we reached the clinic, we felt lost and a little alone in this new world of a child with medical needs that will never go away. The clinic connected us with a special camp for families with children in similar medical situations. Once we started attending the annual family camp weekend, we found a network of families who understood exactly what we were going through!
Then, they introduced us to Camp TLC [hosted by the Spina Bifida Association of North Texas] – a camp where kids can go, without their parents, and have the summer camp experience. That was his first experience overnight without one of us with him; he was 10 years old! He found a place to feel safe and independent and was able to meet kids in a similar situation.
Texas Scottish Rite also helped us obtain the dyslexia diagnosis we needed to get Austin into treatment in school.
As you consider which charity you will make a donation to, know that you may actually be helping someone you speak to every day at work!
The annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) provides UT Southwestern Medical Center employees the unique opportunity to participate in a workplace giving campaign. Giving to a favorite charity through the SECC is an easy, effective, and cost-efficient way to give. These contributions help improve the quality of life for people locally, nationally, and globally. Donate now!
Do you have a story you’d like to share? Maybe you adopted a pet from the Humane Society of North Texas or like to volunteer at the North Texas Food Bank. Whatever your involvement, share you story via email, and we’ll share it with the University community as part of the 2019 SECC.
Oct. 3, 2019
The 2019 State Employee Charitable Campaign starts today!
Sept. 16, 2019
Get inspired to give back with free food, sweet swag, and great company at the SECC kickoff, Oct. 3
Stop by McDermott Plaza on South Campus from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, to participate in the campuswide kickoff of the 2019-2020 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC). Enjoy free lunch on the plaza (hot dogs, nachos, popcorn), grab some great giveaways, and get to know some of the charities participating in this year's campaign. Computers will be available so you can set up your donation on the spot (and get some even sweeter swag), and the SECC committee will be there to answer your questions.
This year's campaign runs Oct. 3-Nov. 30 and UTSW’s goal is to raise $400,000.
If you can't make it to the campuswide kickoff, visit an SECC information table at one of the following locations. All events take place from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 4: Paul Bass Administrative and Clinical Center food court and North Campus food court
- Monday, Oct. 7: William P. Clements University Hospital (employee garage entrance) and Zale Lipshy Pavillion – William P. Clements University Hospital
- Tuesday, Oct. 8: UT Southwestern Medical Center at Richardson/Plano (conference room) and Brookriver (small conference room on the atrium level across from Murphy’s Deli)
- Wednesday, Oct. 9: Paul Bass Administrative and Clinical Center food court
- Thursday, Oct. 17: Moncrief Cancer Institute, Fort Worth (activity room)
- Monday, Oct. 28: South Campus food court
- Thursday, Nov. 7: William P. Clements University Hospital (employee garage entrance)
To learn how to donate, visit the SECC page. If you have questions, SECC-campaign@utsouthwestern.edu to the SECC committee.