The ZSR Employee Association (EA) was developed to promote the welfare of ZSR employees and the library as well as to provide organization for employee activities – over 50 years ago! For fun you can check out the Constitution and Bylaws from 1972. In the last two years, the EA Fund has supported nine employees by contributing $495 towards memorials and gifts and maintained an average balance of $860 in the Association’s Allegacy Community Checking account.*

The Benevolence Expense

The EA Committee records show that Bylaw revisions have taken place at least four times since 1972. The 2013 revision included an addition to Association Expenses relative to Benevolence. From Article I, Section 2B:

A monetary donation may be made at the end of the fiscal year to (a) charitable organization(s). Employees will have the opportunity to vote whether the Association will make charitable donations as well as designate donation recipient(s) and amount(s).

In November of 2014, the EA contributed to the Campus Kitchen’s TurkeyPalooza event marking the first (and only) EA Benevolence expense – until now. This March and April, the EA first voted to make a charitable contribution to a nonprofit Winston-Salem organization. Then, out of 19 organizations, they chose the WFU Chaplain’s Emergency Fund to be the recipient. Full voting results can be found on the Employee Association 2026 Benevolence Expense webpage.

Left to right: Christina Surles – Office Manager, Chaplain’s Office, Jemma Johnson, Colleen Foy, Monesha Staton, Denice Lewis. Not pictured: Chris Donald – University Chaplain

Why the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund?

While the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund helps Wake students, faculty, staff, and contractors during times of disaster or personal emergency with essential expenses like housing or uninsured medical costs, it is more than a source of financial support. Christina Surles, Office Manager of the Chaplain’s Office remarks, “At the heart of Wake Forest is a community that shows up for one another. The Chaplain’s Emergency Fund is a reflection of Pro Humanitate – extending compassion, hope, and practical support to those facing life’s unexpected challenges.” One of the Chaplain’s Office’s largest fundraisers occurs at the Annual Lovefeast – the moving and magical gathering held at Wait Chapel on the first Sunday of every December since 1965. However, the season of giving is short compared to the ongoing needs of the WFU community. The EA recognized this and acted accordingly.

The Big Deal

When considering the EA’s mission and past efforts to support TurkeyPalooza, participate in food drives, and now extend benevolence to the Office of the Chaplain, it’s obvious that they have a tradition of and commitment to campus partnerships. Wake supporting Wake was the general theme among contending recipients of the 2026 Benevolence Expense. Furthermore, this has been the first EA Benevolence effort in 12 years – thanks to several factors…

No one can do it alone

First and foremost, ☮️ and ❤️to the 1970’s ZSR crew that developed the EA. Fast forwarding 50 years, former ZSR Dean Tim Pyatt shared a matching parting gift with the EA doubling our fund balance to help make our Benevolence expense a reality today. The AY25 EA Committee President, Veronica Escamilla-Brady, spearheaded the organization of Association financials and provided guidance through the account establishment process. Big thanks to the AY26 EA and EA Committee – Monesha Staton, Jemma Johnson, and Denice Lewis – for engagement with project development (surveys and feedback). And lastly, Kristen Morgan, for pretty much… everything! From answering historical to financial to administrative questions, Kristen is the ZSR Shero.

History has proven ZSR employees can count on the EA to support them and the WFU community through event and outreach opportunities. As the 2024-26 EA Treasurer, I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!

*Full EA Financial Updates can be found here: AY25 as of Sept 2025 and AY26 as of May 2026