Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
December 10, 2004
United Way campaign raises $340,000, exceeds goal
The University of Guelph community raised more than $340,000 for the United Way during its annual campaign, exceeding its goal of $325,000 by more than $15,000.
“Every year we raise the bar higher in our goal for the United Way, and I’m delighted that we continue to surpass our expectations,” said president Alastair Summerlee. “I want to thank campaign co-chairs Anthony Clarke and Irene Thompson and the entire university community for their dedication and generosity. We are especially proud of the effort our retirees and students made during this year’s campaign.”
U of G’s retirees raised close to $50,000, and Guelph students raised more than $7,000. Students played a bigger role than ever before, including initiating a tuition lottery that sold 900 tickets and raised $4,500. One semester of third-year sociology and political science student Kristin Pristupa’s tuition will be paid by contributions from the student government groups in the colleges of Arts, Biological Science, Physical and Engineering Science and Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS).
“One of our major goals this year was to raise the profile of our students within the United Way campaign,” said Thompson. “Hannah Draper, Aiden Abram and Stu Solomon took the lead by developing the tuition lottery, which students will be able to continue in years to come. Residence Life staff under the leadership of Matt Durkee and Colin Rankin held an event called Dressing for Dollars that raised $3,000.” These contributions are in addition to the money students raised in the Meal Exchange program, food collected in the “Trick or Eat” campaign and other charitable work, she added.
About 160 university staff served as co-ordinators and canvassers for the campus campaign. “I am very proud that we, as the single largest contributor to the Guelph-Wellington United Way campaign, continue to lead in the giving of our personal resources, both monetary and volunteer contributions, to this worthwhile cause for the benefit of our broader communities,” said Clarke. “I am also very proud of all of the efforts of the campaign's steering committee members, unit co-ordinators and canvassers. They have worked tirelessly to achieve our success.”
More than 46 local organizations in Guelph and Wellington County receive financial support from the United Way, including youth services at Wyndham House, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Guelph and Hospice Wellington.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, Ext. 56982.
