Membership Drive Winner Donates Prize to Camp Fire Victims, ACSS Matches

Red Cross Gold Country CEO Gary Strong
with ACSS President Frank Ruffino and
ACSS Member Outreach Coordinator Charlotte Hoar.

Every year during the fall, ACSS holds a Membership Drive to encourage excluded state employees to join ACSS with a chance to win a prize. This year, the Membership Drive was held from September 24th through November 2nd and the grand prize of a 65-inch LG Smart TV would be given to one new member.

Monica MacNicholl was selected at random as this year’s winner. Monica works as a Staff Services Manager at the California Department of Rehabilitation in Sacramento and she is now a member of ACSS Chapter 502. However, Monica did not want to keep the TV prize. Instead, she wanted to donate the monetary value of the prize to the Red Cross to go to the victims of the recent Camp Fire in Paradise, CA.

The value of the TV was $1,000. ACSS decided to match the donation to donate a total of $2,000 to the American Red Cross to help Camp Fire victims. ACSS President Frank Ruffino and Member Outreach Coordinator Charlotte Hoar visited the Red Cross office in Sacramento. They met with American Red Cross (Gold Country Region) CEO Gary Strong to deliver the check in person in Sacramento.

Approximately 50,000 people* have been displaced and 14,000 homes** have been destroyed in and around the town of Paradise due to the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in California history that raged from November 8 through November 25th and scorched 153,000 acres. Several ACSS members were also affected by this devastating incident. ACSS is dedicated to serving members of the community by making this much-needed donation to the American Red Cross.

Frank Ruffino commented, “Monica's decision to donate her prize is a true example of an altruistic act, an unselfish concern for the welfare of others. We appreciate her for reminding all of us the spirit of giving shouldn’t be seasonal, but an everyday choice. As a result, ACSS matched her gift which provides Red Cross critically needed funds to help the victims of Camp Fire. It was a proud moment for all of us!” It is a small way that ACSS can help out the community, especially as we approach the holidays.

ACSS President Frank Ruffino hands a check to
American Red Cross Gold Country CEO Gary Strong.

*According to the LA Times
**According to CNN