U of G Gears Up for United Way Campaign
September 17, 2009 - Campus Bulletin
When the University of Guelph kicks off its 2009 campus campaign for the United Way, president Alastair Summerlee will be wearing two hats, both giving and receiving the University's pledge to raise $500,000. He is currently serving as campaign chair for United Way Community Services of Guelph and Wellington and is always a key advocate for the University's annual fundraiser.
"Our United Way donations go to the local community to help people we know," he says, referring to the 50 charitable organizations that receive funding from the United Way. Summerlee announced the county-wide goal of $2.65 million on Sept. 16.
On Sept. 24, he'll confirm that the University community plans to raise almost 20 per cent of that total. "It's a huge amount of money - $500,000 - but the goal is well within our reach. The University community donated more than $490,000 to the United Way in 2008.
"This is a caring campus, and the United Way is supported across the board by University of Guelph staff, faculty, students and retirees," says Summerlee.
The University traditionally kicks off its annual United Way campaign with a lunch-time barbecue on Branion Plaza. This year's event will also launch U of G s Sustainability Week.
Guelph mayor Karen Farbridge will share the podium with Summerlee and the University's United Way co-chairs: Jennifer Beehler, secretary to the chair of Clinical Studies; animal science professor Jim Atkinson; and undergraduate students Nathan Lachowsky and Jason Greenberg.
The University's United Way campaign runs until the end of November. Details of events and campaign progress will be posted online.
