On June 26, 2013, the Georgia Department of Administrative Services recognized the outstanding achievements of 21 state agencies and members of the University System of Georgia. Over the last 16 years, the State Charitable Contributions Program has raised over $41 million to help support local and nationwide charities. More than 100 independent charities and federations participate in the SCCP, and in the 2012/13 campaign $1.44 million was pledged across the state. More than 130,000 state employees participate in the program which has existed since it was established in 1982 by the Georgia General Assembly. For 16 years, employees of the state of Georgia and the University System of Georgia have been contributing to the charity of their choice through payroll deductions or a one-time donation.
Sid Johnson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Administrative Services, hosted the awards ceremony, welcoming Frank W. Berry, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, as the keynote speaker. Commissioner Berry was previously the CEO for ViewPoint Health in Lawrenceville, and has over 20 years of experience serving the State in the behavioral health services arena. He is also a graduate of Florida State University.
Commissioner Berry gave an address invoking the spirit of charity that inspires the SCCP and its coordinators, commending all coordinators for being “able to get people to buy into a vision of helping others.” He went on to say that regardless of whether you volunteered for the role or were assigned, everyone can find common ground because “the need or desire to help other people is what makes us better.”
“I couldn’t be prouder of the generous employees at the Georgia Department of Education for raising so much for much-deserving charities,” said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge, whose Department of Education won one of the Governor’s Cups with a whopping $20,937 in donations from employees in 2012. “We are honored to house the Governor’s Cup for the next year and look forward to competing against other departments again for such a good cause.”
The 2013/14 campaign will run from October 1-November 30, 2013.
Award Winners
Governor’s Cups (This is the highest award)
Winners have the highest contribution per employee and are grouped by employee population. These winners have achieved the highest award presented here today. The winners are:
1-100 Employees: Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority
101-500 Employees: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia
501-1000 Employees: Department of Education
1001-9000 Employees: Georgia Institute of Technology
9001 and up Employees: University of Georgia
Governor’s Award
For this award, two winners are recognized in each category representing both a state agency and the university system.
Largest Increase in the Campaign Contributions Total
State Agency: Department of Education – Increased their total by $7,238.16.
University System: Georgia Institute of Technology – Had an amazing $32,883.02 increase in their campaign over last year.
Largest Increase in Campaign Contributions by Percentage
State Agency: Advantage Behavioral Health Systems – Advantage increased their pledge total from $120 to $3,065.
University System: Albany State University – Albany State increased their pledge total from $24 to $3,596.
Highest Level of Employee Participation
State Agency: Lake Lanier Islands Development Authority – The only agency that had 100% participation.
University System: Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia – Board of Regents continues to have the highest employee participation this year at 30%.
Commissioner’s Award
These are the runners-up for the Governor’s Cups. Commissioner’s Award winners have the highest contribution per employee and are grouped by employee population.
1-100 employees
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography
Stone Mountain Memorial Association
101-500 employees
Department of Administrative Services
Georgia Technology Authority
Georgia World Congress Center Authority
State Accounting Office
Department of Banking and Finance
Department of Law
501-1000 employees
Department of Community Health
Middle Georgia State College (formerly Macon State College)
1001 to 9000 employees
Georgia College and State University
Department of Revenue
9001 and up
Department of Corrections