NIC CEO, Employees Run the Extra Mile, Raise More Than $235,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

As the leader in digital government, NIC employees are used to helping citizens and governments across the country without much fanfare. The company’s behind-the-scenes work is what helps fuel its partner states’ interactions and relationships with the public, and NIC has always been up for the challenges it presents.

In May, however, CEO Harry Herington issued a new challenge to his team: “Help me make this company healthier.”

Thinking only a handful would accept, Herington invited a few NIC employees to run in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the Humana Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon in November with him. To his surprise, more than 60 employees answered his call, and the NIC Rock Stars dream team was established. Over the course of six months, the NIC Rock Stars’ challenge evolved into an all-out effort to help St. Jude save lives.

“The idea of running 26.2 miles seemed unreachable if I did not have the support of my team,” Herington wrote on his fundraising page. “I never imagined my simple request would turn into an amazing phenomenon throughout my NIC family across the nation!! Once the team learned that we could make a real difference for children in their communities, they quickly became involved. I asked for 5 runners and more than 60 NIC employees from offices throughout the country signed up to run either the marathon or half marathon, many who had never run in any event before. In addition, many of the employees that could not run stepped up to help. They provided encouragement to runners, raising money for St. Jude and keeping the energy alive.”

At Sunday’s Humana Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon and Half Marathon, Herington and the NIC Rock Stars capped months of training and fundraising by running 26.2 or 13.1 miles in honor of the brave children at St. Jude. The team finished first in the nation in fundraising for the Las Vegas marathon, raising a total of over $235,000 in just six weeks. The total is made up of donations received, commitments and the team’s company match.

Even those impressive numbers, however, don’t tell the whole story.

“Once the team received $50,000 in donations which unlocked the company match, my team and I realized we could be doing even more,” Herington said. “That’s how we learned about Jack’s Army.”

Jack’s Army is a group from Washington formed by family and friends in honor of Jack who was diagnosed with cancer at 7-years old. Jack’s form of cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, is one St. Jude pioneered treatment in, raising the overall survival rate from 4% in 1962 when the hospital opened to 94% today. The Jack’s Army Las Vegas marathon team ran in their first marathon to thank St. Jude for their research and the support they provide for patients and families across the country, like Jack and his family.