$115,000.

That was the lofty goal announced Oct. 1 inside the ballroom of MTSU’s new Student Union Building as dozens of university leaders and department representatives gathered for a kick-off celebration of the 2012 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign.

Employees from throughout the university listen to brief presentations from charitable organizations during the Oct. 1 kickoff celebration of the 2012 Employee Charitable Giving Campaign. (MTSU photos by Andy Heidt)

With an overall Tennessee Board of Regents’ theme of “Focus on the Power of Giving,” the campus kick-off event featured representatives from several area nonprofits who rotated from table to table to tell attendees about their organizations and how donations help them fulfill their missions.

John Hood, MTSU’s director of government and community affairs, opened the event by reminding attendees that 1 in 3 people in the community will be helped in some way by one or more of the agencies.

“It may be you. It may be the person sitting next to you, or it may be the person across the table,” he said. “That’s what this is all about. To be able to help people that have specific needs, to help them to have a better life and to enjoy life.”

Donations can be made online at www.mtsu.edu/givemtsu. The sign-up period ends Nov. 1.

The nine organizations represented at the kick-off included the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home, United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, Community Health Charities, Special Kids, Community Shares, the National Craniofacial Association, Black United Fund of Tennessee, You Have the Power and the American Cancer Association.

Brian Hercules, president and CEO of the United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties, said the number of agencies served by his umbrella organization, currently at 49, has increased in recent years.

“There’s a lot of need,” he said, adding that funds donated to his organization are distributed via “a local process” that stresses accountability and results.

Dr. Hilary Stallings directs guests to the Charitable Giving webpage during the Employee Charitable Giving Campaign kickoff celebration. Stallings is one of six team leaders for this year’s campaign. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

Gifts may be designated to any charitable organization from a list of nine independent charities and three federated charitable organizations including Community Health Charities, Community Shares, and local United Ways. The full list of agencies can be found in an online brochure at www.mtsu.edu/givemtsu.

Organizers reminded employees that the payroll deduction option is provided and is a very cost-effective way of making a gift.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee thanked employees for their past contributions and encouraged them to continue the University’s strong tradition of giving.

“We are part of a vibrant community, a community for which we all take responsibility to support,” he said. “I can’t think of any other thing (more important) that we do in the way of reflecting how much we care about people in our community.”

McPhee noted that the university has increased its giving each year.

“We can do better as we think about those who are less fortunate than we are,” he said. “We are blessed as an institution, we are blessed individually and we are bless collectively. Part of our responsibility … is to share in those many blessings that we all enjoy.

“I’m confident we will exceed our giving from last year.”

Dr. Gloria Bonner, chair of this year’s campaign, noted that the 2012 goal is up from the university’s total centennial year contribution of $112,000. The 2011 contribution exceeded the goal of $100,000.

Bonner noted that if the university achieves 100 percent participation among its roughly 2,225 employees, a contribution of $52 from each employee — about a dollar a week for a year, or $4.33 a month — would enable the university to reach its goal.

“We need you to go back to your respective areas to make it fun, to make it engaging, and most importantly to encourage people to give,” Bonner said. “Giving is a tradition of MTSU.”

Dr. Hilary Stallings, manager of recruitment and resources in the College of Liberal Arts and one of six team captains for the campaign, explained the automated online process.

All employees will be eligible for a prize drawing at the conclusion of the campaign, even those who choose not to give. However, those employees must fill out and submit a hard copy to enter.

“That’s the only way we’re taking hard copies,” she said. “The rest of it will be automated.”

The grand prizes include three reserved parking spaces on campus, complete with a customized sign, for the 2013 spring and fall semesters at locations near the offices of the prize winners. A Dell netbook computer, luggage and other donated items also will be offered in the drawing.