University Community Donates $554,432 to United Way
December 07, 2012 - News Release
The University of Guelph United Way campaign has raised $554,432 this year, including more than $10,000 donated by U of G students.
U of G president Alastair Summerlee announced the total at a volunteer appreciation event held today, acknowledging the campaign co-chairs and the employee, student and retiree volunteers who organized the fundraising drive. “I am awestruck once again by the tremendous enthusiasm of campus volunteers and the generosity of the University community.
“Your support for the United Way is a demonstration of deep caring for your community and for those who need a helping hand,” he said. “Thank you for seeing and answering the growing need for the services and programs that are funded by the United Way.”
In the last five years, the University of Guelph community has donated more than $2.5 million to Guelph Wellington Dufferin United Way.
U of G’s fundraising committee was co-chaired this year by Genevieve Gauthier, secretariat officer and information and privacy co-ordinator for the University; Prof. Stuart McCook, associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Arts; graduate student Gavin Armstrong; and undergraduate Jolène Labbé.
“Each of us has a personal reason for helping with the United Way effort,” said Gauthier. “This is a way for us to pay back some of the help our own families have received and a way to meet many great United Way volunteers both on campus and in the larger community.”
McCook applauded all University donors and particularly students, who exceeded their $8,000 goal and generated widespread participation. “Gavin and Jolène did a great job mobilizing student groups and individuals, and the enthusiasm we saw in our students helped to motivate others to give a little bit more.”
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 Student Life.
The Gabrielle Hubert Award for outstanding contributions by an individual volunteer went to Jennifer Wood, a seven-year United Way volunteer in Human Resources.
The Department of Plant Agriculture received the Spirit Award for mounting creative events that increased participation and helped to surpass the unit goal. The department’s United Way co-ordinator and key cheerleader for the past two years is master’s student Fawn Turner.
The Co-Chairs Award for special merit was presented to Mary Dickieson, Communications and Public Affairs, for her help in publicizing United Way events.
Recognizing the student campaign, Labbé and Armstrong presented an achievement award to the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Student Alliance for the most dollars raised by a single group: $2,011. The Music Students Association received a spirit award for building enthusiasm and awareness during its one-day festival of busking and street events.
Certificates of appreciation were also presented to United Way canvassers and co-ordinators on the front-line fundraising team and to individuals and units demonstrating extra effort in this year’s 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.
