The 2021 UTSW State Employee Charitable Campaign
The 2021 State Employee Charitable Campaign at UT Southwestern was Oct. 1-Dec. 10, and our goal was to raise $350,000. Thanks to the generosity of the UTSW community, we raised $408,829.
To learn how to donate and find the list of participating charities for next year, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW.
December 14, 2021
Leading Departments in This Year’s Campaign
With the State Employee Charitable Campaign now concluded, we recognize the Top 5 UTSW departments with platinum level recognition. Here's to their generosity and the generosity of all the departments in the Top 20 that helped UTSW reach its goal of $350,000.
December 7, 2021
Why I Give: Kristen Holland Shear
This is the final week of the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern. The UTSW community has raised close to our $350,000 goal, but there is still time to give through Dec. 10.
The SECC offers over 500 state-vetted charities and causes, which for some individuals, means a chance to support their passion outside of work.
“I have always been passionate about providing opportunities for girls to become leaders,” said Kristen Holland Shear, Interim Director of Communications and Marketing for Pediatrics in the CMPA Department. “Girl Scouts is the No. 1 leadership development organization for girls,” she said of her donations to the Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas.
“As a lifetime Girl Scout, I’ve been involved since I was in the first grade. Now I’m a troop leader to two different troops,” said Ms. Holland Shear. Currently, she also holds a position at the Service Unit Level, overseeing all troops in West Richardson.
Ms. Holland Shear has consistently supported the SECC throughout her 14 years at UT Southwestern. “SECC makes giving so simple. My contribution comes right out of my paycheck; I don’t miss it,” she said. “It’s meaningful to know that my donation goes directly to organizations that will do really great things with it.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
November 30, 2021
Why I Give: Landrae Box-Webb
The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern continues through Dec. 10, providing employees additional time to donate. As a community, UT Southwestern has currently raised over $280,000 of our $350,000 goal.
The SECC offers over 500 state-vetted charities and causes for employees to support, allowing individuals to contribute in a way that reflects their broad interests.
“So many causes are dear to my heart for so many different reasons,” said Landrae Box-Webb, an Accounting Supervisor in the Medical Group Financial Affairs Department. Ms. Box-Webb gives to Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, the United Negro College Fund, Susan G. Komen, and Meals on Wheels Ministry. “The beauty of the SECC is that you don’t have to choose a single organization,” she said.
“I have two daughters that have been through college, so I know how costly it can be,” said Ms. Box-Webb of her donations to the United Negro College Fund. “It’s hard to get scholarships, so I cherish the opportunity to help those struggling with funding throughout the college years.”
Now in her 15th year at UT Southwestern, Ms. Box-Webb notes Susan G. Komen as another one of her favorite organizations to support. “I have many close friends and family that have gone through breast cancer. I give to honor them as survivors.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
November 23, 2021
Why I Give: Amber Perez
The State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern has been extended through Dec. 10, providing employees additional time to donate to over 500 state-vetted charities and causes.
The UTSW community has now passed the $250,000 fundraising mark due to the generosity of individual employees – generosity that reflects life experiences as unique as each individual.
“Being multiracial, I have dealt with racism and seen others around me experience it throughout my life. This is an issue that speaks to me,” said Amber Perez, an Administrative Assistant within the Medical Group Finance Department. Giving to the Southern Poverty Law Center enables Ms. Perez to support an organization that fights against racial and social injustices. Specifically, she notes the organization’s work in targeting groups that promote hate as her motivation to continue donating through the SECC.
“As a single mom to four boys I figure if I can give, anyone can,” said Ms. Perez. “I bring my lunch from home one day a week, and the money I save covers my monthly contribution.”
Now in her eighth year at UT Southwestern, Ms. Perez credits her generosity as something instilled in her at a young age. “My grandmother would always tell me ‘what you give to others, you get back 10-fold.’ Giving is the ultimate gift you can gift yourself.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
November 16, 2021
Why I Give: Wende Davis
The 28th annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern provides employees the opportunity to donate to over 500 state-vetted charities and causes. UTSW’s community-wide goal of $350,000 is powered by individual donations – donations that, in some cases, seek to give back the kindness that was given to them.
“I give to the Ronald McDonald House because they helped my family during an extremely difficult situation,” said Wende Davis, Operations Coordinator in Clinical Laboratory Services. After her niece was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 2, the Ronald McDonald House was “instrumental in how we navigated our toughest days. Nothing is worse than having a sick child.”
The organization provides lodging for the families of children who are in the hospital with chronic illnesses, among other services. For Ms. Davis’ family, this meant avoiding the 30-mile commute between the hospital and Midlothian, Texas. “You’re so tired after caring, helping, and worrying about your child. On top of that, people often forget that many parents must keep working as they struggle through a situation like this. To be able to spend the night just 10 minutes away from the hospital – it means the world.”
Ms. Davis, now in her 26th year at UTSW, continues to stay involved with the organization intermittently throughout the year – as does her niece, who is fully recovered and now has a child of her own.
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
November 9, 2021
Why I Give: Anjali Bararia
Many UTSW employees donate to the State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) to support organizations in honor of an illness or life event that has impacted them or a loved one. But for some individuals, the motivation is to be sure no one gets left behind.
Anjali Bararia, Microbiology Lab Manager at UT Southwestern, funnels her annual donations to smaller organizations that don’t get as many contributions as major nonprofit causes. “I don’t want any organization to feel like no one is passionate about their particular cause,” she said.
Ms. Bararia learned about helping others early in life. Her uncles run an orphanage in Rajasthan, India. There are few educational opportunities in the northern Indian state, and poverty is common in the rural community. “So many kids there are without any opportunities to better themselves,” she said. “Before the orphanage opened, they were pretty much stuck right where they were. But my family proves that we can all make an impact – they taught me at a young age to look after the less fortunate.”
Working within Clements University Hospital, Ms. Bararia commends her colleagues in the Microbiology Laboratory for their enthusiasm about the SECC. Each year they set up a table where employees can donate. “It’s so easy. While you’re walking in or out of work you can just stop by and donate. You can tell that people really look forward to it. They get a good feeling knowing they’re giving back,” she said.
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
November 2, 2021
Why I Give: Sunil Verma
The 2021 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) provides UT Southwestern employees the opportunity to donate to over 500 state-vetted charities and causes. Through Nov. 30, the UT Southwestern community can pledge to the campaign and help us reach our $350,000 fundraising goal. While the spirit of giving can be felt collectively throughout UTSW, the reasons behind many individual donations are powerful, personal stories of loss, hope, and healing.
Donating to the American Heart Association through the SECC every year allows Sunil Verma, Clinical Research Coordinator within Clinical Laboratory Sciences, to honor his late father and his heritage. “I’m from Southeast Asia – cardiac disease is very prevalent in that part of the world. I lost my father to this disease, which inspires me to donate to the Heart Association and make a difference,” he said.
Mr. Verma does more than donate to the campaign – he’s part of the SECC Steering Committee. “I’m honored to work with such a dynamic team of SECC leaders,” he said. “It’s a great way to make a difference. After all, that’s what the spirit of UT Southwestern is all about. It’s what makes our community so strong.”
Now in his fourth year as an SECC leader, Mr. Verma’s main goal is to increase the campaign’s visibility throughout William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, where he works. “Clements is a very busy clinical environment. To raise awareness here regarding the SECC was a challenge, but it was a challenge that felt natural for me to take on,” he said.
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
October 26, 2021
Why I Give: Julia Spesivtseva
The 28th annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern provides employees the opportunity to donate to over 500 state-vetted charities and causes. The UTSW community marches toward our $350,000 fundraising goal due to the generosity of individual employees whose donations often reflect their own life experiences.
“As an immigrant, I didn’t know anyone when I came to this country. I wanted to build a future for myself, and I did it on my own,” said Julia Spesivtseva, Director of Clinical Research Services in UTSW’s Sponsored Programs Administration. Her experience as an immigrant motivates her to donate to groups that “provide support to vulnerable people who couldn’t have provided it themselves. Where I come from, we don’t have many organizations like this.”
The variety of organizations that are part of the SECC lets Ms. Spesivtseva spread out her donations in support of multiple causes.
“Working in clinical research for as long as I have, you see how involved cancer treatments are. When it comes to pediatric cancer, it’s incredibly hard to watch parents and kids go through something this difficult,” said Ms. Spesivtseva, who is a supporter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “If I was in a similar situation with a very sick child, I often think about, ‘where would I go? Who would I turn to?’ It would be an organization like Make-A-Wish.”
Now in her 14th year at UTSW, Ms. Spesivtseva plans to expand her donations to include organizations focused on women’s issues, most notably domestic violence. “Abuse carries a lot of different faces – it’s not always just what you see on the surface. Donations to this cause help women to navigate through this extremely difficult process.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
October 20, 2021
Why I Give: Jamian Eubanks
The 28th annual State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) at UT Southwestern continues to provide employees the opportunity to donate to over 500 state-vetted charities and causes.
UTSW’s collective effort to raise $350,000 is driven by individual employee donations – each one with a story of its own.
“As a latchkey kid, the Boys & Girls Club kept me off the street during some of my most vulnerable hours,” said Jamian Eubanks, UTSW Technical Support Specialist and Boys & Girls Club alumnus. “Now the gifts that I give make it possible for so many kids to access the same opportunities that I was afforded.”
Currently in his 12th year at UTSW, Mr. Eubanks commends the Boys & Girls Club for providing him the tools to succeed in his role within Academic and Administrative Information Resources. “They taught me the rudimentary phases of my IT education and also provided me with my very first IT job.”
Mr. Eubanks cites convenience as the SECC’s main attribute. The campaign makes it “easy to support those causes that are very close to us. It makes giving simple.” Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
The SECC enables Mr. Eubanks’ experience with this charitable organization to come full circle. “The Boys & Girls Club has been doing this since I was little. They still teach kids computer education and still provide a place where kids can be off the street during those hours where they are most at risk.”
The longevity of these services, however, is reliant on community contributions. “Our donations help the kids who can’t afford membership fees or the cost of activities,” he said. “Giving makes it easier for those kids to participate.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
October 13, 2021
October 13 Contributions Update: $89,000
October 13, 2021
Why I Give: Kelly Collins
As a community, UT Southwestern aims to raise $350,000 during this year’s State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) – the only authorized workplace charitable giving campaign for state agency and higher education employees.
And behind every donation is an individual story of hope, healing, and giving back.
“I lost my favorite aunt and countless friends to cancer over the past two decades,” said Kelly Collins, an Employee Engagement Ambassador within the Support Services Division. “That’s why I donate to nonprofit organizations focused on caring for cancer patients.”
In honor of those friends and loved ones, Ms. Collins will be donating through the SECC to Cancer Care Inc. and the Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Foundation this year. “I have a passion for giving and volunteering,” she said. “I strive to make the change I want to see in the world.”
Ms. Collins was introduced to these giving opportunities through the SECC. “I’ve been donating since 2018 to these two organizations and it’s beautiful,” she said. “It feels good to know where your money is going and that it’s benefitting someone else.” She cited staying up to date with these organizations throughout the year as one of her favorite parts of the SECC.
Each week throughout the campaign, Ms. Collins sends her team reminders to donate. She encourages her colleagues to “acknowledge their passion and give to one of many SECC charities.” She believes that “every little bit counts. We could make the biggest difference with everyone’s help.”
Through the PeopleSoft platform, employees can make one-time donations or have contributions deducted from their paychecks each month. The campaign ends Nov. 30.
For questions or inquiries, email the SECC Committee.
September 30, 2021
Stand Texas Strong with the 2021 State Employee Charitable Campaign
A message from the co-chairs of the SECC Committee
To the UT Southwestern community:
We invite you to join in our effort to turn compassion into action this fall.
Many factors, including the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, mean that more people than ever are seeking resources and services from nonprofit organizations. The UT Southwestern community can be a force for positive change as we enter our annual season of giving through the 2021 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC) – the only authorized workplace charitable giving campaign for state agency and higher education employees in Texas.
From now through Nov. 30, UT Southwestern employees can make an important impact by donating to any of several hundred state-vetted charities through payroll deduction. Donating is easy and convenient, and can be done entirely within PeopleSoft.
You will find that the options to give include nonprofits familiar to you, many of which have helped our institution through donations of personal protective equipment and meals for our front-line staff. SECC is an opportunity for us to return that kindness and support our community members in need. Every dollar helps to making our community and our world a better place.
Because we know that COVID-19 and other mitigating circumstances have impacted our own UTSW community, we are realistic about our goals and hope to raise $350,000 this year – consistent with our 2020 levels. If every UTSW employee gave at least $15 to their favorite charities, we’d meet our goal and, more importantly, make a significant, positive impact on nonprofit organizations in need and the individuals they serve.
To learn how to donate and find the list of participating charities, visit the SECC page on MyUTSW. It’s an easy way to give to your favorite charity via payroll deduction. Please consider signing up today.
Sincerely,
Helen Yin, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Office of Women’s Careers
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign
Marc Nivet, Ed.D., MBA
Executive Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Co-Chair, UT Southwestern State Employee Charitable Campaign