State agencies raised $1.4 million raised for various charities, as employees took to the Governor’s Court with the final push for this year’s State Employees’ Community Campaign (SECC). The SECC is a yearly effort to encourage state employees to contribute to any charity with a 501(c)(3) ruling through special events, one-time contributions, or payroll deductions. Since its inception, state employees have contributed more than $32 million through the SECC to charities of their choice for over 40 years. The 2018 installment of the SECC offered the first state agency 3-on-3 basketball tournament hosted at Governor Eric Holcomb’s residence in Indianapolis. Nearly 100 guests attended to watch state agencies battle it out for the championship on the recently built court. Guests included Butler University basketball coach LaVall Jordan, Butler University cheerleaders and official mascot, along with the Project 44 team. Governor Holcomb was in attendance and kicked off the tournament by thanking all participants for their dedication to raising funds for various charities throughout the state, including Project 44. Project 44 was created in honor of the late Andrew Smith, after he lost a two-year battle with a rare form of cancer. Andrew was a member of Butler’s two-time NCAA runner-up basketball team, wearing number 44. The organization raises awareness for the national bone marrow registry and encourages individuals to sign up to be a bone marrow donor. DOR and a team from the Governor’s office faced off in the championship game after three rounds of tournament play, with Governor Holcomb’s team ultimately taking home the championship. With the Indiana SECC coming to an end for 2018, state employees across Indiana have raised over $1.4 million. Events such as a lip sync battle, paddle boat races, chili cook-offs, silent auctions, bake sales and a state-wide ice cream social contributed to the funds raised this year.