University Raises $551,214 for United Way
December 07, 2011 - News Release
The University of Guelph United Way campaign has raised $551,214, exceeding its $525,000 goal. U of G president Alastair Summerlee revealed the total at a volunteer appreciation event held today, acknowledging the campaign co-chairs and the more than 150 other employee, student and retiree volunteers who ran this year’s fundraising drive.
This is the third consecutive year that the University of Guelph community has donated more than $500,000 to the United Way of Guelph and Wellington.
“Thank you to everyone,” said Summerlee. “You’ve done an amazing job again this year. You should be especially proud of your success because you know that the money raised for the United Way goes to benefit the people in our community that we are so anxious to help.”
The University campaign contributes to the overall goal of $2.85 million for the City of Guelph and Wellington County.
U of G’s 2011 United Way committee is co-chaired by Prof. Alan Sullivan, Department of Plant Agriculture; Genevieve Gundy, secretariat officer and information and privacy co-ordinator for the University; undergraduate student Vanessa Young; and graduate student Gavin Armstrong.
“We tried hard this year to deliver the message that every dollar counts,” said Sullivan, who added that he is impressed by the quality of local programs supported by the United Way. “Our donations really do go to worthwhile charities. There is a huge need in our community for this kind of support — and it continues to grow.”
He and Gundy thanked all University donors for “digging into your pockets. You do it for the love of community and your fellow human beings.”
A number of awards were presented at the United Way recognition event. The President’s Award, which recognizes the campus unit with the highest increases in both participation and dollars raised, went to Human Resources.
The Gabrielle Hubert Award for outstanding contributions by an individual volunteer went to Susan Lee, a supervisor in the Laboratory Services agriculture and food lab.
Student Life received the United Way Spirit Award, which goes to a unit that exceeds its goal, achieves a five-per-cent increase in participation, and demonstrates enthusiasm and creativity in its fundraising effort.
The Co-Chairs Award for special merit was presented to Jennifer Beehler, secretary to the chair of the Department of Clinical Studies. She served previously as campus co-chair and this year organized the University’s popular College Idol competition, which featured six performances at a noon-hour talent show Oct. 31 and raised $3,000. Beehler announced the 2011 winner: singer Jordan Scholl, a master’s student in human health and nutrition who belongs to the Elora Festival Singers.
Armstrong commended U of G students for making their largest-ever contribution to the United Way campus campaign: $8,600, one-third of it raised through cash and meal-card donations. He also praised the College of Management and Economics Student Association for leading the student campaign by raising $2,200.
In addition, a number of “Pat-on-the-Back” awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to individuals and units for making an extra effort in this year’s United Way campaign.
The University’s United Way committee also recognized TD Canada Trust, Stone Road Mall and U of G Parking Services for providing incentive prizes to encourage campus donations.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53338, or lhunt@uoguelph.ca, or Shiona Mackenzie, Ext. 56982, or shiona@uoguelph.ca.
