Prize winners!

“The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service”

--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

CONGRATULATIONS

to the following donors who are today's winners in the
Charitable Contributions Drive Drawing. 

Michele Black in SECURITIES

Connie Call in DOPL

Kaylene Hyatt in DOPL 

......and Ann Naegelin in DOPL

Yesterday Carlos Alamilla won a Gift Certificate to the Spaghetti Factory. 

There's still time to donate and to get entered in the next drawing! 

The GRAND PRIZE is a gift certificate to The Cedars of Lebanon Restaurant worth $40!

Compared to last year, the Dept of Commerce is behind this year,
and charities STILL NEED HELP!  

 If you are able to give ANY amount, a one-time pledge or payroll deduction,
please don't hesitate - MAKE THAT PLEDGE!! 

Here are the percentages of participation as of today; Let's make this GROW!!!!

CORP	60%
DPU	50%
DOPL	21%
ADMIN	82%
RE/OPRO	29%
OCS	83%
CP	33%
SEC	60%

(Totaling $11,858.73)

THANK YOU to all who have contributed - you have made a difference !

Andrew and Ashley's Story

Andrew and Ashley Morrison are the grandkids of Sheila Johnson who works in Accounting, and the niece and nephew of Ryan Johnson who works in Corporations. In January of this year Andrew and Ashley were diagnosed with Friedreich’s Ataxia. 

Twelve year old Andrew is in the 7^th grade and just earned a 4.0 this last period of school. He loves to build robots and play video games. Ten year old Ashley likes to cook, draw, and also excels academically in her Elementary school. Both Andrew and Ashley like to swim and ride their special bikes. Other than having the disease they are just normal sweet children that have an unusual  heavy burden to deal with. Unfortunately both are exhibiting more physical symptoms of this disease as they get older. Some everyday tasks, like climbing stairs and walking from one class to another in school, are getting increasingly difficult for them. They manage to remain cheerful through it all and do the best they can. Our family is continually praying for a cure for this disease. Time is of the essence as each loss of function will most likely be permanent.   
 

Friedreich's ataxia is a rare disease passed down through families (inherited) that affects the muscles and heart. Symptoms are caused by the wearing away of structures in areas of the brain and spinal cord that control coordination, muscle movement, and some sensory functions. Symptoms generally begin in childhood before puberty, and may include:

·         Abnormal speech

·         Changes in vision, particularly color vision

·         Decrease in ability to feel vibrations in lower limbs

·         Foot problems, such as hammer toe and high arches

·         Hearing loss -- occurs in about 10% of patients

·         Jerky eye movements

·         Loss of coordination and balance, which leads to frequent falls

·         Muscle weakness

·         No reflexes in the legs

·         Unsteady gait and uncoordinated movements (ataxia) -- gets worse with time

Muscle problems lead to changes in the spine, which may result in scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis.
Heart disease usually develops and may lead to heart failure. Death may result from heart failure or dysrhythmias that do not respond to treatment. Diabetes may develop in later stages of the disease. 

Click here to find out more about the disease. Ashley and Andrew also have a fundraising Facebook page:
 http://www.facebook.com/morrisonfundraiser.

By Sheila Johnson

To help, you can donate to Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA).

How to donate to FARA : 

1.  At this time, donations to FARA must be by paper only - go to: http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/Docs/2013/Sept/PledgeandPayrolDeductionForm.pdf

2. print the form and complete the blanks:

Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance
533 W. Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335
USA

Phone:		(484) 879-6160
Fax:		(484) 872-1402
Email:		info@cureFA.org
Website:		www.cureFA.org

3. provide the form to your agency charitable fund representative.

Or you can donate to Muscular Dystrophy Foundation of Utah. 
Their code is: 2015.

 

 

Prize Winners

Congratulations to today's lucky prize winners for the Utah State Employee Charitable Fund Drive.

Paul Anderson from DPU

and

Toni Heldman from DRE

Thanks to everyone for their contributions.  Whether your donation is just a little or a lot, per paycheck or one-time, it ALL helps. 

This is the last week of the Charitable Fund Drive. (The Drive ends on November 2nd, 2012.) So, please take a moment, if you have not done so already, and participate in our Fund Drive.  There are hundreds of different charities available. 

To donate online go to: http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/. Choose “Pledge Online” and enter your LAN password.
On the next page, under “Select Your Contribution Type”, choose either Payroll Deduction Contribution or One Time Contribution.

You can search for your favorite charities by entering keywords. You also have the option of contributing to more than one charity. Once you have submitted your contribution, you will still be able to edit it. After you have confirmed your donation, please make sure to print a copy for your tax records (you will notice a “print” button located in the bottom left corner next to the “finish” button). This will be your only opportunity to print the receipt.

If you prefer not to complete the process on line, you can also take your contribution to your Division representative, Julie Price in Securities, or Mia Larson in Administration and they can help you complete the process. Contribution forms are available. 

Your Division Representatives are:

Julie Price- Securities
Mia Larson - Admin
Liz Blaylock- CP
Joanne Hogenson- DOPL
Dan Martinez- CCS
Marielie Martinez- DPU
Cyndy Nelson- OPRO
Amber Nielsen- RE
Valeri Stewart- CORP
Erika Tedder -DPU
Karen Wicker - CORP

There are still a few prizes left for those who participate.  Thanks again for all you do. 

Cyndy Nelson

THE UTAH SOCIETY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

 

What is USEE

The Utah Society for Environmental Education (USEE), a 501c3 nonprofit with a mission to promote excellence in environmental education by providing support, networking and resources to Utah's community of educators.

Top 10 Reasons to support USEE

1.  You love the environment and USEE's commitment to a more sustainable community.
2.  You believe in the importance of Environmental Education in schools, community programs, and daily life.
3.  When you lose a trail hiking, you don't consider yourself lost.
4.  You believe people should learn how to think, not what to think about the environment.
5.  You don't have to hug a tree to know that they're important.
6.  You believe in the importance of building partnerships and getting connected with others who share your interest in Environmental Education and the vision of sustainability in Utah.
7.  You believe in striving towards an environmentally literate citizenry.
8.  Your day dreams consist of planting your own vegetable garden and getting lost in the woods.
9.  You support environmental education/sustainability efforts in schools and would like to learn more about the Utah Green Schools Awards Program.
10.  You support the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of Utah.

Our programs include:

• Professional Development opportunities such as Project Learning Tree, Project WET and Project WILD
• Enrivonmental Education Certification courses run through both the University of Utah and Utah State University
• The development of an Environmental Literacy Plan for Utah in partnership with the Utah State Office of Education
• Expanding the capacity of Environmental Education by working with diverse and underserved populations
• Promoting education and sustainability in schools through the Utah Green Schools Awards Program
• Providing a professional development Environmental Education Conference for the State of Utah
• Providing networking and resources for 1500 individuals and 80 organizations throughout Utah
• Much more!

 

Visit www.usee.org for more information

or contact Andree' Walker Bravo at director@usee.org 

 or call 801-328-1549

Donation code 1089

UTAH REFUGE COALITION

Since 1975, our nation has committed to welcoming and assisting individuals who have experienced persecution and suffering.  This commitment is deep and abiding and goes to the very core of our values as seen in the inscription on the base of our Statue of Liberty:

Give me your tired, your poor;
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!

A refugee is a person who is outside his or her country of nationality and is unable to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution, due to religion, race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The atrocities refugees experience are unthinkable. Their experiences include:

•   Surviving many years of civil conflict and political terror
•   Years spent in the chaos of war and refugee camps
•   Little control over life decisions and forced migration
•   Forced separation of family
•   Multiple abrupt disruptions to daily routines
•   Loss of all possessions, familiar environment, family members, friends and neighbors
•   Forced to survive and adjust in completely new and unknown environments

The move to the U.S. is a difficult and daunting experience. The goal of the Utah Refugee Coalition is to help refugees through the integration process and to create self-sufficiency and empowerment within the refugee communities.  The Utah Refugee Coalition is currently running three programs which focus on meeting that goal.

Global Artisans 




Global Artisans partners with local refugees to earn supplemental income and preserving their cultural and traditional talents by selling their artistic products. The products are practical and can be used daily, as well as the products give consumers an opportunity to be socially conscious.   There are 16.4 million refugees in the world, of which 80% are women and children, and have experienced some of the world’s most horrific violations of human rights.  Many have survived torture, rape, and witnessing the death of loved ones.  Refugees are our neighbors, co-workers, members of our congregations, and the parents of our children’s friends.  Most importantly, refugees are survivors.  To bring awareness to the refugee plight, it is important to share their stories.
We feel Global Artisan products are a powerful, yet practical tool for telling the refugee story.  It provides awareness, education, and empathy to our community.  And with awareness, comes resources, networks, and opportunities for refugees to become self-reliant and contributing members of our community.
Rather than purchase ordinary products, for the same price you can purchases artistic products created by refugees who have resettled in the United States and feel good that your contribution has made a difference in their lives.


The Utah Refugee All-Stars:





The Utah Refugee All-Stars is a soccer team made up of young refugee men ages 18 to approximately 30. These young men are one of the most vulnerable groups of refugees due to the age at which they first arrived. Utah Refugee All-Stars has become an extremely successful way to support these youth and provide an alternative to gangs, violence, drugs, and other destructive behavior in addition to becoming a high ranked competitive team.


The Utah Refugee Welcome Center: The Welcome Center is a project currently in the development phase, but has been the dream of refugees and organizations alike for years. It will ease much of the stress and anxiety felt by refugees when they first enter the country by providing a one-stop service venue as well as a location for refugee community meetings and celebrations. The building will also be host to educational facilities, after school clubs, and a health clinic specifically for refugees.





The Commerce Charitable Contribution Campaign wants to thank the Utah Refuge Coalition for their donation to our prize drawing.  We appreciate your support and wish you every success with your organization and with the refugees in Utah.


Donation Code 1067

EMPLOYEE CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION CAMPAIGN EVENT

The Employee Charitable Contribution Campaign Event took place on Tuesday, October 16 in the first floor lobby of the Heber Wells Building.

Heber Wells Building Event

We want to express our thanks to these charities for taking time to come to our event and provide information about their causes:

Adopt A Native Elder

Happy Factory

Intermountain Therapy Animals

Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs

Utah FACES

Utah Food Bank

YMCA

Primary Children’s Medical Center

Canine Companions for Independence

Muscular Dystrophy Foundation

Spy Hop Productions

Utah Refugee Coalition

Huntsman Cancer Foundation

Utah Society for Environmental Education

Utah Food Bank

Canine Companions for Independence

Rocly Mountain Rescue Dogs

Huntsman Cancer Foundation

Utah FACES                                                                                Adopt A Native Elder

Utah Refugee Coalition



Got Charity?



Muscular Dystrphy Foundation

Utah Therapy Animals

Spy Hop Productions

In addition to these charities, there are hundreds of others who qualify to participate in this campaign.  Visit the State website at http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/ for a complete list of all the charities.

Everyone who attended received a raffle ticket for a drawing for Hale Center Theater tickets, as well as a “spooky” treat and the chance to learn more about the charities.

 

We had a computer station available for those who were ready to make a donation right then!

Your Division Coordinator will be able to answer your questions or assist you with the donation process:

Liz Blaylock –CP

Joanne Hogenson – DOPL

Mia Larson – Admin

Dan Martinez – OCS

Marialie Martinez – DPU

Cyndy Nelson – OPRO

Amber Nielsen – RE

Julie Price – SEC

Valeri Stewart – CORP

Erika Tedder – DPU

Karen Wicker – CORP

We want to thank everyone who took time to attend the event.  We also want to thank those who have taken the time to donate.  Thank you for your generosity.  Your gift will be working every day of the year, helping others to help themselves.

Make your pledge now for next year by going online to:

www.usecf.state.ut.us

And the Lucky Winners Are...

Congratulations to today's lucky prize winners for the Utah State Employee Charitable Fund Drive

Mark Steinagel from DOPL

Robert Davis from DPU

Brandon Henrie from SEC

Angela Hendricks from DCP

Thanks for your contributions. Every bit helps.

Remember there are over 600 charities to choose from. Find one close to your heart. You do make a difference.

www.usecf.state.ut.us

More drawings to come.

Thank you,

Amber Nielsen

Division of Real Estate

The prizes were donated by Utah Society for Environmental Education. Their code is: 1089. Thank You.

YMCA Gala

DPU Employee Erika Tedder with daughter Olivia.

Last week, my daughter Olivia and I were spotlighted at the YMCA Gala benefit. This is a huge charity event that we attend every year to help raise money for the YMCA of Utah. We got up on the stage and spoke to a crowd of nearly 300 people including Mark Eaton, Thurl Bailey, Jerry Sloan, Governor Herbert, and Gail Miller.
 

I attended Camp Roger when I was a child, and wanted my daughter, Olivia, to have a similar opportunity to go to summer camp as well. In the beginning, I was unable to afford to send her, but the YMCA had a scholarship which we qualified for; I only had to come up with the $50 registration fee and she was able to go. Ever since then, my daughter has attended Camp Roger every summer. She's now 15-years-old, and completed her seventh year at Camp Roger, now in the Leaders in Training (LIT) session.

Affording the camp tuition was a yearly challenge for us, but the YMCA always made funds available so Olivia did not have to be left out. There were some years when the YMCA paid most of Olivia's tuition, and there were others when we were able to pay it in full. Finally we were able to start giving a little extra to make sure another child would have the opportunity to go. Each year, we have volunteered for events to help give-back to the Y.

Then one day, the YMCA showed up in our neighborhood, at Olivia's school!  They were opening a Community Family Center that would organize activities, help with homework, and provide supervision to children in the area. What a blessing it was to have a safe place for Olivia to go to before and after school when I was at work. Olivia always enjoyed her time there and developed relationships that she still maintains today.  One of the counselors at the Family Center was her LIT counselor this year!

LIT Councelor, Olivia, and Erika Tedder at the YMCA gala.

Olivia's experiences at the YMCA have enriched her character and given her some valuable skills in life. She has gone on to be an Ambassador for the Mundi Project, was awarded a piano and plays concerts for them, and was featured on Utah's Public Radio, KCPU, in February 2012. Olivia volunteer coached a soccer team of 1st graders over the summer, was the President of her school Dance Company during the year, and was nominated for Homecoming Queen earlier this month. All of Olivia's accomplishments can lead back to the confidence and opportunities she gained from the YMCA. Olivia will be attending YMCA Camp Roger next year as a Counselor In Training (CIT), and has aspirations of eventually becoming a counselor there.

Erika Tedder, DPU

http://www.ymcautah.org/

Donation code: 7029

New Winners!

Today 5 lucky employees won a gift certificate to Costa Vida!!!

 

 

• Tatiana McWhorter
• Bela Vastag
• April Ellis
• Connie Hendricks
• Alice Hatfield

Thanks for your contributions.  Every bit helps. 

 

Remember there are over 600 charities to choose from.  Find one close to your heart.  You do make a difference.

 

www.usecf.state.ut.us 

 

 

More drawings next week. 

 

Thank you,

 

Karen  - Corporations

 

Winners!

Thank you to everybody who came to our Heber Wells event yesterday and met with some great charities.

The grand prize winner for the Hale Centre Theatre tickets was Lee Avery from DOPL. Congratulations Lee! You can read more about Hale Centre Theatre in our previous blog post that can be found here.

Lee from DOPL won the Grand Prize.

We also had a drawing for those employees who have already made a donation. Charles Lyons and Sheila Thomas from Securities won candy and handmade items donated by Utah Refugee Coalition (donation code 1067). Congratulations also to DOPL's Adele Bancroft who received a gift card to The Pie Pizzeria. Thank you for your generosity!

Adele, Sheila, and Charles with their gift bags.

If you have not yet donated, please go to http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/index.htm and do it now! We have many more great prizes to give out.

Charity Event

You are invited to come and meet charities at our annual Heber Wells Building Charity Event. The event will be tomorrow, October 16^th from 10-noon, first floor lobby and conference room. There are going to be many great charities attending including The Happy Factory, Canine Companions for Independence, Primary Children’s Medical Center, Adopt-A-Native Elder, and many others.

We will have fun Halloween treats and a drawing. The grand prize winner will take home two tickets to a Hale Centre Theatre production!

Please make your donations though our website: www.usecf.state.ut.us or fill out a paper pledge form (attached). We will have computers and help available at the event. 100% of your donation will go to the charities. Please show your support and participate. There is no minimum amount to donate.

So far we have collected $4939.97 (last years total reached $13,104.53). Office of Consumer Services is the new leader in our “participation contest” with Securities being close second!

If you have any questions feel free to contact:

Liz Blaylock- CP

Joanne Hogenson- DOPL

Mia Larson – Admin

Dan Martinez- CCS

Marialie Martinez- DPU

Cyndy Nelson- OPRO

Amber Nielsen- RE

Julie Price- Securities

Valeri Stewart- CORP

Erika Tedder –DPU

Karen Wicker – CORP

Hale Centre Theatre

Would you like your charitable contributions to promote the performing arts in Utah.  If so, please consider selecting Hale Centre Theatre as a recipient of your charitable contributions.  Hale Centre Theatre has been providing quality theatre in our community since 1985, at very affordable prices and in a beautiful theatre-in-the-round atmosphere that allows the audience to connect with the amazing local actors.  

 Hale Centre Theatre History

Even with sold-out performances, however, ticket sales cover only about 70% of the theatre’s operating expenses.  You can help the theatre continue its legacy of world-class family-friendly entertainment for the more than 250,000 patrons who come through its doors each year.

Nathan and Ruth Hale were married in 1933. Together they successfully wrote, directed, produced and starred in community theatre in the Salt Lake area. Nathan then tried his hand as a movie star for a few years in the 1940s in Hollywood, but in 1947, the couple opened the doors of Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale, California, to just six patrons. Their theatre now is one of the longest continuously running center stage theatres in America and performs to thousands of patrons each year.

Nathan and Ruth shared their love for the theater with their progeny.  In 1985, grandson Mark Dietlein and his wife Sally, opened Hale Centre Theatre in Salt Lake City.  Hale Centre Theatre quickly attracted a community of talented actors and a loyal following.  In 1998, the doors opened on the 42,000 square-foot, innovative Hale Centre Theatre in West Valley City.

With its new non-profit organizational structure, Hale Centre Theatre appointed a notable Board of Trustees and a National Advisory Board that act on behalf of the public's trust.   With a 12-month production schedule, there is little time for rest for the Dietleins and the other staff and community members involved in each production. To continue this rigorous schedule desired by audiences and further involve its community, Hale Centre Theatre has an active donor program called "Ovations" and receives generous sponsorships through local and national organizations. The theatre also donates more than 6,000 outreach tickets to various area schools and organizations each year and hires actors for more than 350 roles each season.

Nathan and Ruth Hale's inspiration has directly impacted the opening of additional theatres in the West, each independently owned and operated: Hale Centre Theatre Orem, Orem, Utah; Hale Centre Theatre Arizona, Gilbert, Arizona; and Hale Family Theatre, Grover, Utah.

Hale Centre Theatre has had the honor of being awarded the Best of State medal for "Theatre Group/Director" for eight consecutive years (2005-2012).

To find out more about Hale Centre Theatre and the current calendar please click here.

How to donate to Hale Centre Theatre:

1.  At this time, donations to Hale Centre Theatre must be by paper only - go to: http://www.usecf.state.ut.us/Docs/2013/Sept/PledgeandPayrolDeductionForm.pdf

2. print the form and complete the blanks:

Hale Centre Theatre #6356325 CHAR

3333 Decker Lake Dr.

West Valley City, UT  84119

Attn:  Brent Lange (801) 415-2330

3. provide the form to your agency charitable fund rep.

By Anonymous Commerce Employee