News Articles
United Way Campaign Passes Halfway Mark
BY MARY DICKIESON
Three weeks after the kickoff, the University's United Way campaign has raised $188,000 or 52 per cent of its 2006 goal.
“This is a really exciting beginning,” says campaign-co-chair Fred Ramprashad, retired associate dean of the bachelor of science program. “But there's more. Four University departments got off to a quick start and have already reached their fundraising goal: Financial Services, Teaching and Support Services, Computing and Communications Services and the presidential offices. Now we just have to keep the momentum going to blast past our University-wide goal of $370,000. And we will.”
Many U of G employees pledged early to be eligible for incentive prizes such as wine, books, event tickets and lots of homemade goodies.
Fifty prizes have already been drawn; the winners and prize donors are listed on the United Way website at unitedway.uoguelph.ca.
Two more draws remain, so there's still time to hand in a pledge form to qualify. Those pledge forms, which can be downloaded from the website, are also key to being eligible for the grand prize of a weekend getaway donated by Goliger's Travel Plus.
The website provides regular progress reports and a list of campus events being held to support the United Way. Pick up a Halloween pumpkin from the Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences in Room 353 of the Animal Science and Nutrition Building or buy a raffle ticket for baked goods in Revenue Control on Level 4 of the University Centre.
The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences and the College of Management and Economics are teaming up to host a chili luncheon in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management's Atrium Nov. 6.
The United Way campaign received $1 for each ticket sold for the Oct. 14 Gryphon football game, and the Department of Athletics will repeat the donation at a basketball game in December.
United Way co-chair and OAC graduate student Barb Caswell says a number of student clubs are also hosting United Way events, and student governments are gearing up for the annual tuition lottery. Tickets will be sold for $2 each, three for $5, Nov. 13 to 29. The draw will take place in the University Centre Dec. 1, and the winner will receive free tuition for the winter 2007 semester. Anyone can buy a ticket and donate the prize to a registered student.