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Believe in Your Community
Campus United Way campaign kicks off, aims to raise $440,000
BY MARY DICKIESON
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| Campus United Way volunteers spell out the fundraising target for this fall's campaign. From left are Stephen Temple as Gryph, Suba Naganathan, Jennifer Beehler, Jason Greenberg, Alexandra Kartes, Hua Tan, Nanky Rai, Jill Ferguson, Jeff Rotman and Prof. Jim Atkinson. Photo by Amanda Scott |
A smiley group of community-minded volunteers and hot dog lovers has been pictured on the U of G website for the past couple of weeks. They're showing off the $440,000 target for this year's United Way campaign.
The campus goal was announced at the organizing committee's annual United Way kick-off barbecue on Branion Plaza by campaign co-chair Prof. Jim Atkinson, Animal and Poultry Science. He was joined by co-chairs Jennifer Beehler of the Department of Clinical Studies and business student Suba Naganathan.
Right after the kickoff, those United Way volunteers got down to the business of trying to reach their hefty goal. By now, every University employee and retiree should have received a payroll pledge form. Those who return the form by Oct. 9 will be eligible for the first campus incentive draw Oct. 10. Prizes have been donated by individuals, departments and off-campus businesses.
If you haven't received a pledge form, Beehler asks you to contact your department's United Way canvasser or Lillian Wilson at liwilson@uoguelph.ca. Beehler says giving by payroll deduction is the backbone of the University's campaign and the easiest way for U of G employees to contribute.
“Give $20 a week, and you can help feed six people every day at Guelph's Welcome In Drop-in Centre,” she says. “Ten dollars a week pays for 30 hours of peer support for two people with early-stage Alzheimer's. And a dollar a day can ensure a child receives a healthy breakfast before going to school. We want you to know that whatever you can give to the United Way is greatly appreciated by those who benefit from these programs. Last year, the agencies funded by the United Way of Guelph and Wellington helped more than 60,000 people in our community.”
Atkinson notes that a successful U of G campaign will make a big difference in reaching the United Way's regional goal of $2.6 million. President Alastair Summerlee is chair of the regional campaign, which is using the slogan “We Believe in Our Community.”
If Guelph isn't your hometown community, you can still give through the University's United Way campaign but direct your donation to the local area where you live, says Atkinson.
In addition to being eligible for the weekly incentive draws, everyone who makes a pledge to the United Way campaign will have their name entered in a draw to be held Dec. 2 for three grand prizes. The prizes are a $500 gift certificate for Stone Road Mall, a $300 gift certificate for Travel Cuts and a U of G parking pass for a year.
Over the next eight weeks, United Way volunteers across campus will host a number of special events to help reach the $440,000 goal. The following are events that have been reported to At Guelph:
- Oct. 16 — Bake sale and raffle hosted by Revenue Control on Level 4 of the University Centre. Tickets are three for $5; the draw is at 3 p.m.
- Oct. 21 — The Department of Geography is hosting “Card Making 101” at 7 p.m. in Room 234 of the Hutt Building. A $15 donation includes supplies. Reserve a space through Carol Hart at Ext. 56719 or chart@uoguelph.ca.
- Oct. 31 — The Office of Research and Hospitality Services are sponsoring a Halloween Lunch Costume Party and College Idol from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Peter Clark Hall. Cost is $10. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes. Tickets will be on sale in the UC Oct. 22 and 27 and are available from Hospitality Services and the Office of Research on UC Level 4.
- Oct. 24 — Chili lunch sponsored by the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, noon to 1:15 p.m. at PJ's in the Atrium. Cost is $10.
- Nov. 3 and 4 — The Department of Geography's annual used- book sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the UC courtyard. To donate books, take them to Hutt 239.
On kick-off day, students drew the winning tickets on a United Way raffle. Winners are Deb Kingston of OVC (a 40-inch Sony LCD HDTV), Karen Atkinson of Student Financial Services (a Lexmark printer) and Marinette Fargo of Student Life and Counselling (a free pizza each week for a month).