Every penny counts, and that’s exactly what members of NIU’s Human Resource Services (HRS) were counting on when they started a coin drive in fall 2021.
“It is important to give back to the community and running a coin drive within the department seemed to be uplifting to folks,” said Shay Hanlon, HRS administrative assistant who was part of the team that helped organize the fundraiser. “It was a nice break to stop by the jar, drop off coins, and see the progress we’d made.”
They called it “Change for Change,” and decided that the Civil Service Emergency Fund (CSEF) would be the beneficiary of their effort. Hanlon said a jar was placed in their office’s service center – a high traffic area – for people to drop off coins, and they used a newsletter and monthly staff meetings to remind employees to get involved.
The Civil Service Emergency Fund (CSEF) was established to assist civil service employees who are facing economic crisis. The fund is overseen by a committee that works together to solicit donations, evaluate applications and distribute the funds.
By March, members of the Human Resource team had raised more than $107 for the CSEF. Their philanthropic efforts inspired other NIU employees to do the same, and the Physical Plant is currently hosting a coin drive.
“Taking care of one another is part of the Huskie Spirit,” said Holly Nicholson, assistant director of Web Communications and president of the Operating Staff Council (OSC). “Economic struggles hit us all differently at different times; if you find yourself in a time in which you are blessed more than others around you, donating to the emergency fund is a great opportunity to help.”
The emergency fund has been established to assist civil service employees who are facing economic crisis. The fund is overseen by a committee that works together to solicit donations for the fund, evaluate applications and distribute funds.
How can you help?
Host a drive:
If a department wants assistance in starting a coin drive or has funds to drop off they can contact cs-fund@niu.edu.
Volunteer:
There is currently a need for a member to join the committee to evaluate applications and discuss marketing and events. Please contact lyates@niu.edu and fmitchell@niu.edu.
Donate:
Please consider helping your fellow Huskies. You can give online on the NIU Foundation website by selecting the Civil Service Emergency Fund in the “available designations” dropdown. You can also contribute by sending a check, with Civil Service Emergency Fund written on the memo line, to:
Northern Illinois University Foundation
Altgeld Hall 135
DeKalb, IL 60115-2882
Learn more about the Civil Service Emergency Fund or contact cs-fund@niu.edu.
