The annual Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) is underway, and we're so excited to once again be part of the joint effort to give back to Ohio in a big way! OCSEA and the State of Ohio have partnered on the CCC fundraising campaign for decades. We highly encourage OCSEA members to give back to their charities of choice as they are able. The campaign runs August 22 through October 20. To donate at the State portal, go MYOHIO.GOV

OCSEA members help CCC flourish

Pamella Butts has been on the steering committee of the Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC), the State of Ohio’s charitable workplace giving campaign, for four years now. This year’s campaign, “Coming Together to Give,” is underway and Pamella encourages all OCSEA state bargaining unit members to give to the charity of their choice.

“There are over 1000 charities to choose from. So, it doesn’t matter what you’re passionate about,” said Pamella. “Especially if you’re pledging through the online portal, you can look up charities by region, key word, or charity name. We want to be as inclusive as possible,” she said. Go HERE to see and search the list of available CCC charities, including those helping with the recent natural disasters.

Pamella is also part of the subcommittee that reviews the applications of the different charities. “We review all the charities and make sure that administrative fees are low enough and their paperwork is set to the standards of the Combined Charitable Campaign. We make sure all is on the up and up,” she said confidently.

Pamella also helps her agency’s CCC coordinators. Each agency has their own CCC coordinators, which include OCSEA bargaining unit members, who work during the 8-week campaign to coordinate activities to raise more donations. Nabeel Khoury on Tussing Road and Katie Balderson at the Riffe Center are the coordinators for the Department of Commerce.

Pamella says since COVID, a lot more is being done virtually to raise awareness and funds. She said last year, for example, the Fire Marshalls in her agency took part in a “masked singer” fundraiser where employees provided donations by voting for their favorite video of a masked singer. This year, silent auctions are being conducted online, and Commerce did an incentive by putting those who donated into an online drawing.

Things are beginning to change post-pandemic, Pamella indicated, with a very well-attended kickoff at Rhodes Tower in August. The event included CCC Honorary Chair Paul Keels, play-by-play announcer for The Ohio State University Football & Men’s Basketball, as well as members of the federations, like the United Way, and other charities.

Pamella Butts, Commerce Chap. 2501 Secretary and Steward, has been on the steering committee of the Combined Charitable Campaign (CCC) for four years and works to coordinate fundraising events.

The CCC campaign kickoff at Rhodes State Office Tower took place on Tuesday, Aug 22. The campaign wraps up on Oct. 20.

CCC kicked off the giving season on Aug. 22 at the Rhodes State Office Tower lobby. The event featured Paul Keels, the 2023 CCC Honorary Chair. Keels is the play-by-play announcer for Ohio State Football and Men’s Basketball through Ohio State Radio.

In August, CCC coordinators from around Ohio met at OCSEA and online to get ready for the upcoming charitable-giving season. The life blood and communicators of the campaign, the coordinators received training on the resource guide, the online E-pledge system and learned about some of the 1,100 charities and federations that do good work for Ohio. Union Chairs OCSEA VP Rocky Jolly and OCSEA President Chris Mabe welcomed coordinators and state Chairs to the Union Hall for this joint effort and thanked them for their volunteer efforts.

One of those volunteer CCC coordinators is Nabeel Khoury, a union activist for Commerce Chapter 2501. Nabeel is chief steward for the chapter and proud to be active in the CCC, going on his fourth year now. Nabeel encourages other union members to give back to CCC as they are able. "The cool thing about CCC is, with over 1,100 charities, there's always something that you can find close to your heart. Even a little bit goes a long way," said Nabeel. "CCC and being union go hand-in-hand. Giving back and taking care of others is at the heart of our union mission," he said.

The goal for the campaign this year is $2.1 million (but we'd love to surpass last year's record of $2.2). Thanks to ALL the union members who make this program a success year after year! Learn more about the campaign at the CCC website.

Is your chapter planning a CCC event? Let us know about it by emailing communications@ocsea.org.

CCC give back event held at Team Up ODOT and Roadeo

OCSEA held a CCC fundraiser at the Team Up ODOT/ Directors Cup Roadeo. The annual celebration of ODOT employee innovation and skill took place Wednesday, Aug 23. OCSEA provided the event's luncheon, with all proceeds going to the CCC. For $3, attendees can purchase a hot dog, chips and a drink. F