MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — True Blue givers are back as Middle Tennessee State University launches its traditional Employee Charitable Giving Campaign to support the critical work of area nonprofits — with MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee again raising the bar by challenging the university to reach a record campaign goal of $170,000.

McPhee was recently joined by Provost Mark Byrnes, along with other administrators, faculty and staff, to kick off this year’s drive in the atrium of the Cope Administration Building to jump-start the yearly effort to support the many area nonprofits that provide critical services and assistance for areas such as home health care, child care, literacy, food and nutrition, and much more.

Last year, the university pledged a record $165,069, with more than 660 participants, just beating its $165,000 goal.

“When we often speak about being True Blue and our True Blue values, this annual campaign most certainly reflects the priority we have placed upon engagement in the lives of our community members,” said McPhee. “Together, through our annual charitable healing campaign, we make an overwhelming positive difference in the lives of our neighbors and friends where we live and where we work.”

Running Oct. 1 to Nov. 15, the campaign is led by a committee of faculty and staff volunteers to rally financial support for a host of worthy causes. Weekly drawings are held throughout the campaign, with prizes ranging from parking spaces to various MTSU-branded promotional items.

Watch a recap of the kickoff event below:

McPhee emphasized that MTSU employees can contribute to the campaign online by visiting https://mtsu.edu/mtsucares and following the link to the online giving form. From the site, employees can designate one-time or monthly payroll deductions to any of four independent charities and three federated charitable organizations, including Community Shares, Creating Healthier Communities and local United Ways.

With just over 2,200 employees at MTSU, this year’s $170,000 goal can be attained if each employee pledged $78 per year, or just $6.50 per month. The campaign is off to a tremendous start before the drive even officially begins, with employees pledging more than $56,300 toward the goal as part of a “pacesetters” drive to build momentum throughout the campaign.

Byrnes echoed McPhee’s sentiments, recalling a time in his own family’s life when the nonprofits supported through the campaign provided critical services — something any employee could need at a moment’s notice.

“This relationship that the president talked about between the university and the community is really important. And I think for most of us, we recognized that we’re not only located in the community, but we’re part of it,” Byrnes said. “As individuals, but also as institutions, I think it’s really important that we’re deliberate about how we nurture that relationship and how we support those who live in the community with us.”

And as has become tradition, Byrnes again accepted the return of the Provost Cup from Joyce Heames, dean of the Jennings A. Jones College of Business, which for more than a decade straight has captured the shiny symbol reflecting its status as the academic unit with the highest percentage of givers during the campaign.

Heames, who recognized Kristen Swann, president and CEO of the United Way of South Central Tennessee, and others from her organization for attending the kickoff, said she looks forward to this year’s friendly competition because the services provided by area nonprofits for tackling issues like drug and alcohol addiction are critical to the well-being of the entire community.

“So I challenge my fellow deans to bring it on. … I’m not all about the money. I’m about, ‘Let’s see how many of us can give.’ And I’m proud of the Jones College, that we have a high percentage of giving, and this year, they’re going for 100%, just so you know. But that would be the ultimate to me. … Every dollar that you give will change a life.”

Anyone with questions about the campaign should contact Allison McGoffin at 898-2953.

— Jimmy Hart ([email protected])