U of G's United Way Campaign Kicks Off Sept. 22
September 16, 2010 - News Release
The University of Guelph's annual United Way campaign kicks off Sept. 22 with a lunchtime barbecue in Branion Plaza and a concert by local rockers The Kramdens.
The free concert begins at noon; the barbecue runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
During the event, U of G president Alastair Summerlee will launch the University’s 2010 United Way campaign.
“The University of Guelph is a caring community," he said. "One way in which our faculty, staff, students and retirees demonstrate their level of caring is by supporting the annual United Way campaign. Last year we raised more than $500,000 to provide funding for local programs in Guelph and Wellington County, and we will challenge ourselves to continue this tradition of generosity.”
The fundraising drive is co-ordinated and managed entirely by campus volunteers. Campus co-chairs for 2010 are Jennifer Beehler, secretary to the chair of the Department of Clinical Studies; Prof. Alan Sullivan, Plant Agriculture; and fourth-year commerce student Vanessa Young.
In addition, more than 150 people will serve as United Way canvassers, committee members and event organizers. Many will help at the kickoff barbecue, where you can buy corn on the cob and a pop ($3), a hot dog and pop ($4) or all three ($5).
The Kramdens will donate their time to help launch the campaign.
In past years, the U of G effort has provided up to 20 per cent of all funds raised for the United Way of Guelph and Wellington. The 2010 county-wide campaign was launched Sept. 14 at Guelph City Hall and the Community Resource Centre in Fergus with a goal of $2.67 million. Chairing the Guelph and Wellington campaign is Marva Wisdom, a local businesswoman and a 2007 master’s graduate of the University’s leadership program.
U of G’s United Way campaign runs until the end of November. Details of events and campaign progress are available online.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Deirdre Healey, Ext. 56982 or d.healey@exec.uoguelph.ca.
