MCG Fair raises awareness two ways
by Sharron Walls
The threat of rain did nothing to dampen MCG’s first Employee Awareness Fair, just moved it inside. Nearly 350 employees dropped by the Student Center Oct. 26, where they learned how their gifts to the State Charitable Contributions Program help our community and about the benefits and services available to them as MCG employees.
The festive atmosphere came complete with balloons, door prizes, Fat Man’s lunch specials and a noon performance by the MCG Chorus.
“I’ve been here 11 years and we’ve never had anything like this,” said Christine McKlintock, with student health. Debbie Looney, SCCP coordinator, said the fair may become an annual event.
Karen LaFontaine with the Employee-Faculty Assistance Program manned a table that ran out of giveaways halfway through the event. “This fair has stirred up interest in our program,” she said. “A lot of people had misconceptions of what employee assistance means. This gave us a chance to reach more employees with what we have to offer them.”
Representatives were on hand from Auxiliary Services, the Employee Advisory Council, Human Resources Training and Education, ITSS, Health Center Credit Union, the Child Care Referral Agency, the Patient Family Care Center, Greenblatt Library, the Arts Council, the Wellness Center, Physicians Practice Group, the campus chapter of the Sertoma Club, the School of Dentistry, Team MCG, and the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity. Many said it was the first time some employees were aware of them.
Employees also got a closer look at where their donations to SCCP go, with exhibits from charitable organizations including the American Red Cross, Fireside Ministries, Rape Crisis Center, Salvation Army, Senior Citizens Council, St. Stephens Ministry, Communities in Schools and Family Connection.
Representatives from these United Way of the CSRA agencies were also enthusiastic in their assessment of the day’s activities. Ron Schoeffler, executive director of the Senior Citizens Council, praised the fair for its high level of energy and steady stream of traffic. “It’s terrific,” he said. “Very encouraging; a great way for exhibitors to get the word out about their programs.” Phin Hitchcock of Fireside Ministries called the fair “one of the best organized functions we’ve been to.”
Fair visitors also learned about discounts available from off-campus merchants through the Employee Discount Program, including several new vendors: DISH Network, the National Science Center’s Fort Discovery in Augusta, Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C., Liberty Mutual Group, ACLens.com and the Battery Clinic. More discounts are available through Team Georgia Connection. For more details, contact Debbie Looney, employee services coordinator, at ext. 1-0343.