The UO Psychology Department's "Sheriff Red" laid down the law and led the university to its highest-ever total in this year's Governor’s State Employee Food Drive.
University of Oregon employees raised a total of 198,909.44 pounds of food in this year's campaign, thanks in large part to some individual effort – and generosity – from Becky Goodrich, who has served as the Psychology Department's event coordinator since 1996.
Goodrich – nicknamed "Sheriff Red" by her colleagues for her red hair and food drive zeal – was honored at a wrap-up meeting last week for making a personal contribution this year of $20,000, which counts as 80,000 pounds of food.
“I hope it inspires others to do something similar—and not just once a year,” said Goodrich, who has been a university employee for 48 years and will retire at the end of this month.
She acknowledged acting as a sheriff in the food drive, increasing participation in her department by working to keep everyone’s “eye on the prize.”
Thanks to her efforts, the Psychology Department ran away with top UO honors in this year's drive, raising 92,971 pounds of food or monetary equivalent. Rounding out the top three for this year's food drive were the School of Journalism and Communication, with 15,309.28 pounds; and Friendly Hall, raising 11,076.8 pounds.
The UO English Department earned recognition for being "most improved," by surpassing its total from last year by 3,972 pounds.
Overall, the UO eclipsed its 2014 goal of 175,000 pounds of food by 23,909.44 pounds. Last year, UO employees raised 159,090.8 pounds of food in the annual campaign, which was initiated by Gov. Vic Atiyeh in 1982.
State employees and agencies throughout Oregon participate in the food drive.
Money raised locally in the campaign is converted to pounds of food given to FOOD for Lane County; each dollar donation equals four pounds of canned or packaged food.
FOOD for Lane County expressed its appreciation for the contributions of UO employees by providing a baked potato bar at last week's wrap-up meeting on campus.
- by Sarah MacKenzie, UO Public Affairs Communications intern