State Employees Contribute $2.6 Million to Charities

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) today announced that state agency and university employees raised approximately $2.6 million for charity through the 2010 State and University Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) Campaign.  The SECA Advisory Board held an awards ceremony at the Capital City Training Center to recognize the 37 agencies that met or exceeded the projected goals of the workplace charity drive.  Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 21st as SECA Day in Illinois to recognize the contributions of SECA participants and to encourage charitable giving.

“Despite the difficult economy and financial constraints that many people face today, state employees responded to the call of charities that serve others and help the needy,” said Lt. Governor Sheila Simon, Honorary Chair of the SECA Campaign.  “Employee contributions are making a difference for thousands of neighbors in need in Illinois and around the world.”

The SECA Campaign allows state and university employees to make contributions to the charity of their choice as cash or through payroll deductions.  SECA’s 11 main Charity Federations represent 1,900 charities.

“For state employees, public service is a part of daily life and during the SECA Campaign, state workers took that service to a higher level,” said CMS and SECA Advisory Board Director James P. Sledge.  “On behalf of the SECA Advisory Board and the SECA Charities, I am proud to acknowledge the continued generosity of state and university workers who, even in these tough times, remember others and give from their hearts.”

Created in 1983 by legislation, SECA provides an annual channel through which state employees may contribute to the charity of their choice through payroll deductions.  Since its inception, SECA’s state-wide charity campaign has raised more than $53 million.  For more information about SECA and its member charities, visit the SECA web site at www.secaillinois.org.