University of Houston faculty and staff gave $100,531 to the 2005 State Employee Charitable Campaign.

“I thank everyone who participated in SECC,” said John Rudley, vice president for administration and finance. “Gifts to the Houston-area SECC were down about 7 percent, due in large part to the contributions to various relief and support efforts related to the hurricanes and other natural disasters that occurred during the year.”

At UH, 441 fulltime, benefits-eligible employees, about 10 percent of the workforce, participated in SECC. Although participation was lower than last year, the average gift was considerably higher: $228 versus $168 in 2004.

“The fact that our level of giving was about the same as last year shows, once again, that our employees care deeply about our community and are first in line when called upon to help in times of need,” Rudley said.

A workplace charity campaign, SECC provides state employees with a convenient and efficient way to make voluntary, tax-deductible contributions to 300 local and state charities through payroll deduction, cash or check.

UH contributions accounted for $1 out of every $8.25 received from the 38 Houston-area SECC agencies.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu