We all like to think that we are safe and secure, but one
incident or accident can surprise and shock us. In 1980, my
father had a massive stroke, and my mother was instantly
transformed into a 24-hour caregiver for a person who had severe
speech and mobility issues. My parents lived in Illinois, and I
was in Sacramento and felt helpless. My mother was getting very
depressed and was beginning to develop back injuries. Then the
local United Way stepped in and let my mother know about a senior
daycare program that the local United Way had developed.
June 6, 2013Aaron Casas, Department of Transportation
Charity is a large part of my life. My family and I have
always believed in giving to the less fortunate, helping those in
need and caring for every individual with respect, love and
dignity. We believe that spending time helping local
charities throughout one’s life helps shape everyone involved.The
people being helped receive emotional, monetary, and even
spiritual support through the hard times, and the helper receives
life lessons on how to be a kind, compassionate and understanding
person. It helps both parties grow as individuals and
brings people together while assi
The California State Employees Charitable Campaign (CSECC) is a
campaign that allows employees to give to a variety of charitable
organizations that are vitally important to the community. I am a
member and in great support of the CSECC because I have had five
kidney transplants. Because of the research and support of the
Kidney Foundation of Northern California, which is supported by
the CSECC, I would not be in the position that I am in now. I am
the only five time, successful kidney transplant patient in the
world.
E.J. Fogel is a State Park Heavy Equipment Operator. His
daughter, Taryn Fogel, was born in December 2001 with a very rare
disease which affects the mitochondria, the power source of her
cells.
There are thousands of nonprofits in CSECC that help those who
suffer from terminal diseases. Through CSECC, you have the
opportunity to support various nonprofits.
There are hundreds of state employees who volunteer every year
with CSECC in various roles. Employees step up and take on
positions like key campaigners, campaign liaisons, etc.
As a child and early teen, I volunteered forty hours per week
each summer at my local Naval Hospital as a ‘candy striper’ for
the American Red Cross. Through my high school years, I
spent many hours at a local nursing home listening to stories,
laughing and just receiving joy from the residents who didn’t
have regular family visitors.
When I think of how I would want to make a difference in
someone’s life, I have always arrived at the conclusion to “just
do the right thing” for as long as I can remember, I have
always been involved in community service.
Secretary of Service and Volunteering Karen Baker was named the
first recipient of the Augustus Freeman Hawkins Award at the
California State Employees Charitable Campaign Appreciation Event
in March. The award was presented by Lisa Ransom, granddaughter
of Hawkins, the first African American Congressman elected west
of the Rockies and founder of the California State Employees
Charitable Campaign.
August 20, 2012Alice Scott, State Treasurer's Office
When he was 2 months old, my son Ken Roberts Jr. had emergency
surgery for pyloric stenosis. When he was almost 18 months
old he was diagnosed at the U.C. Davis Mind Institute with Autism
Spectrum Disorder and then later with a severe hearing loss.
It was three in the afternoon, and suddenly, time stood still. I
will never forget that call. We were told that we needed to go to
Children’s Hospital of Orange County immediately with a bag
packed for three days. On that day, Ava’s world and our world as
a family was changed forever. Ava had type 1 diabetes.