The 2018-19 Indiana State Employees Community Campaign (SECC) got off to a roaring late-summer start at the Statehouse Market, and that enthusiasm never waned as the pursuit of a record-setting season of giving drew to a close just before Thanksgiving.
Days later, it was clear the $1.5 million goal set at the outset of the campaign had been reached.
Reaching the goal was the “icing on the cake” of an SECC that could be viewed only as a success. State of Indiana employees gave at a pace exceeding even last year’s enviable mark of more than $1.4 million.
That is, of course, a testament to the giving nature of so many State of Indiana employees who made pledges to any number of nonprofit, 501 (c) (3) charities through payroll deductions, one-time donations or by contributing during special events.
In terms of the latter, 2018 was a banner year that may have set a new high water mark in fun and creativity.
From dunk tanks to slam dunks
This year’s SECC Chairperson, Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner Adam Krupp, was one of the most visible participants, and he helped lead the way in a campaign that was never short on enthusiasm.
Commissioner Krupp was among the first to step into a dunk tank during the SECC Kickoff event Aug. 30, moments after calling on his fellow state employees to contribute to the campaign. The kickoff brought Indiana First Lady Janet Holcomb and “First Dog” Henry to the Statehouse Market for an afternoon of fun events that included opportunities to dunk Commissioner Krupp and many other agency heads.
This year’s chosen charity, Project 44, was also revealed during the kickoff, and that partnership proved to be the perfect match as several more events were held to help that nonprofit’s goal of raising awareness of the National Bone Marrow Registry.
Samantha “Sam” Smith, one of Project 44’s founders, was among the distinguished guests at the August SECC kickoff and she, like Commissioner Krupp, would prove to be a fixture at additional events.
Project 44 was started shortly after the death of Sam’s husband, Andrew Smith, a Butler University basketball standout who competed in back-to-back NCAA Championship games. Sadly, Andrew died after a short battle with a rare form of cancer, but his memory was seemingly at the forefront of every major SECC fundraising event, proving he was anything but forgotten.
Sam expressed gratitude to state employees for their efforts to throw Project 44 into the limelight in much the way Andrew Smith and his teammates put the Bulldogs in the national spotlight via their dual appearances in “the big dance.”
“We are so appreciative of the generosity and effort behind this year’s campaign, and especially for the opportunity to further our mission and raise awareness for the Bone Marrow Registry,” Sam Smith said. “The SECC has provided an incredible partnership, and we’re extremely proud to participate in something so impactful within our community.”
The inaugural State of Indiana Lip Sync Battle was one of the 2018-19 Indiana SECC highlights. Indiana Department of Revenue Commissioner and SECC Chairman Adam Krupp dressed as rapper Vanilla Ice and was backed by agency staff during a hilarious show in early November. Members of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles and Indiana State Personnel Department also participated.
Fantastic beats… and where to find them
That impact was achieved in multiple ways, each of which fused heart and creativity to great effect.
One such example was the 13th Paddle Battle event in September, which drew participants from two dozen state agencies. Participants raced paddle boats on the White River Canal in an effort to raise SECC funds and take home the beloved Paddle Battle Oar.
In the end, it was a team representing the Indiana Public Defenders Office who claimed the coveted boating accessory.
As summer gave way to fall, the fun was far from over as two additional major events were held to close out the campaign in a memorable way.
Commissioner Krupp led the way in the Nov. 2 Lip Sync Battle, appearing onstage in IGC-S as the spitting image of ‘90s rapper Vanilla Ice.
“Vanilla” was joined onstage by a host of DOR employees as the commissioner lip-synced the classic “Ice, Ice, Baby.” Not to be outdone, members of the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles mimicked Milli Vanilli with a spot-on version of “Blame it On the Rain,” while Indiana State Personnel Department leaders had a blast with their rendition of Wilson Phillips’ loveably corny earworm, “Hold On.”
There was hardly an empty seat in the auditorium for that memorable show, which was held in tandem with a silent auction and was initially scheduled as the campaign’s swan song.
But wait, there’s more!
But the 2018-19 SECC was far from finished as Commissioner Krupp announced in early November that the charitable program would continue through Nov. 16. That gave participants plenty of time to practice for the campaign’s formal curtain call, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament at the Indiana Governor’s Residence.
With Gov. Eric Holcomb and various dignitaries from Butler University (including men’s basketball coach LaVall Jordan) in attendance, eight teams of state employees took the court to raise money for Project 44. The weather wasn’t exactly ideal for some half-court hoops the afternoon of Nov. 9, but that didn’t stop anyone from enjoying the single-elimination tournament – win or lose.
In the end, a team representing Gov. Holcomb’s office defeated a DOR squad led by Commissioner Krupp 10-6.
The series of major events drew plenty of attention, but myriad smaller fundraisers were just as important to the record-setting SECC. Bake sales and chili cook-offs were big hits while unique ideas such as INDOT’s Pinewood Derby-inspired wooden car race in the IGC-S atrium (during the Lip Sync Battle no less) proved that raising money for a good cause can be plenty of fun.
From selling pies of every sort to preparing Coney dogs with all the toppings, State of Indiana employees pulled out all the stops in this year’s campaign, and the effort will be reflected in the final total.
Beyond the funds raised for fantastic causes across the Hoosier State, the latest SECC showed how State of Indiana employees are willing to do just about anything to help charities – from dressing up like early ‘90s pop culture icons to taking a pie in the face.
The heart and soul of this year’s SECC was, of course, found in the people who made it all possible.
“I am extremely proud of the hard work and dedication so many state agencies and employees exhibited to make this campaign a success,” said Commissioner Krupp. “The collective generosity of Indiana’s public servants is inspiring. It was an honor to serve as the Indiana SECC chairman for 2018, and I look forward to supporting next year’s chair as we continue to take the SECC to the next level.”
Photos provided by Indiana Department of Revenue, Indiana State Personnel Department
Story by Brent Brown, INSPD