GALVESTON, Texas - The rising waters of Hurricane Ike and the subsequent damage to the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston did not dampen the spirit of charitable giving as the UTMB workforce raised $326,640 during an abbreviated State Employee Charitable Campaign. The campaign normally runs for six weeks. This year it was conducted for two weeks.
More than $99,000 was pledged to the United Way of Galveston, which will go directly toward Galveston's post-Ike recovery efforts, according to Dr. Ben Raimer who led this year's campaign.
"This is a powerful testament to the selflessness and generosity of our people - especially when one considers that those who reached into their pockets also had to contend with the disruption caused by the hurricane and holiday expenses," Raimer said.
The State Employee Charitable Campaign is the only statutorily authorized workplace campaign for state agency and higher education employees in Texas. In 2007, the SECC marked its 14th year by raising more than $9.7 million for charitable organizations throughout the state, nation and world. UTMB employees contributed $719,650 last year.