State Combined Charitable Campaign Nets $4.9 Million

Governor Taft announces total, thanks employees

 

Governor Bob Taft lauded state employees today for their generosity in giving to the Ohio Statewide Combined Charitable Campaign.  He and co-chairs Gary C. Suhadolnik and Hugh R. Williams announced a grand total of $4,937,955 in donations for the 2002 Campaign.

 

“I can’t say enough good things about the generosity of Ohio’s state employees,” said Governor Taft.  “Our employees have shown true strength of heart in opening their pocket book to more than 2,000 causes supported by this campaign.”

 

The Combined Charitable Campaign is state government’s primary charitable fundraising drive.  Through it, state employees have the opportunity to give to more than 2,000 charitable organizations through one-time donations and payroll deductions.  Overseeing the 2002 campaign, which ran from September 4 through October 25, were co-chairmen Gary C. Suhadolnik, director of the Ohio Department of Commerce, and Hugh R. Williams, representing the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association.

 

The goal for this year was to raise $3.8 million, a 5 percent increase over last year’s goal of $3.6 million.  Approximately 22,000 employees combined to exceed this goal by 29 percent.  This year’s $4.9 million fell just short of last year’s record $5.1 million; however, nearly $600,000 of last year’s amount was designated to the September 11 Fund.

 

The announcement was made at Villa Milano Restaurant in Columbus, at a luncheon thanking the volunteers who helped coordinate the agency collection programs.

 

The Governor also applauded the Statewide Steering Committee that oversees the program for its efficient management of the campaign.  The administrative costs for the campaign are only 4 percent of total donations.

 

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