SECC claims title second time for Biggest Heart by Elizabeth Podzemny The Ranger Reporter

Amarillo College's State Employee Charitable Campaign team accepted the "Biggest Heart" award for the second time at United Way's Victory Luncheon Nov. 13.

Receiving the award on behalf of the team was Rhoda Key, a staff assistant in the dean of student services office.

"We really increased our giving this year," said Susan Brown, a current member of the SECC. The team received the award previously in 2000 and was recognized for Outstanding Achievement at last year's luncheon.

The SECC team not only exceeded its goal this year of $40,000 but raised a third of all SECC campaign money collected in the Texas Panhandle. In comparison, West Texas A&M University raised $19,000.

The campaign is announced each year at general assembly.

Jan Pearcy, head of the committee and executive secretary for the dean of students services, asks past members each year whether they want to continue to serve. The number of new members chosen depends upon the involvement needed at each particular AC campus.

"I just brainstorm and hit team members up from different areas of the campus, looking for those who are more outgoing, not those who just sit around and wait for something to happen," Pearcy said.

She said the team worked extra hard this year campaigning and collecting money.

"I had a really good group this year," she said. "One Saturday we baked cookies from 9 o'clock in the morning until 3 in the afternoon."

This year's annual campaign lasted through all of September and October.

Most of the money was raised through payroll deductions and one-time checks, and a labor auction contributed about $600. "It's an easy way to give a little something back to the community," Key said.

During the campaign, faculty and staff were asked to make donations to the charity of their choosing.

Another event that raised money was the Amarillo Technical Center chili cook-off.

"The chili cook-off was really good this year, and we had a much better turnout than last year," said Jona Huber, a custodian at ATC, now called the East Campus.

"The money was raised by selling popcorn, donuts, baked goods and by auctioning off handyman expertise," said Nan Kemp, a readers' adviser at Lynn Library.

Not only does the SECC do an excellent job raising money for various charities, but the campaign allows people to get involved.

"I just love the way people are so giving," said Diana Stewart, a custodian at the East Campus who is serving her second year on the committee. "I really enjoy working with Jan. She's just awesome."

Members of the team seem to have only good things to say.

"It just warms the heart to know the college can come together and help people whom they don't even know," said Kim Lacey, an administrative assistant in the Allied Health Division who is approaching the end of her fourth year as an SECC member.

Team members change every year. Some stay for years, while others come and go.

"The most enjoyable part about the SECC is meeting new people and knowing that I'm doing something worthy for people who really need it," said Dana Scott, director of the dental aid program, who worked the campaign for the first time this year.

Team members agree that the campaign is hard work but worth it in the end.

"It's really enjoyable to interact with the staff and faculty in bringing Amarillo College together," Lacey said.