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by Tara Sharpe
L-R: Donna Mollin and Jaqui Thompson (libraries), coordinators of the library’s annual United Way book sale, examine the first delivery of used books, records and videos.
The UVic 2007 United Way campaign is moving fast through the last few weeks of fundraising, and donations continue to boost the temperature in community “thermometer” boards across the city. Here on campus, the momentum is driven by the generosity of donors and by the passion and involvement of numerous volunteers.
Over the years, UVic volunteers have contributed through a wide range of activities, staging events, organizing raffles, acquiring prizes, gathering pledges and sitting on the campaign steering committee, as well as participating in United Way of Greater Victoria community initiatives.
Dr. Dale Olesky (computer science) became involved last year when past UVic campaign chair Dr. Penelope Codding asked him to help solicit support as an advocate in his department. “I feel very fortunate to have had a great job at UVic for many years,” says Olesky, “and I believe I need to do my small part in supporting the many good causes of the United Way.”
In the community, Dr. Gina Harrison (educational psychology and leadership studies) has been involved with the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre alongside undergraduate education student Maura Indge and alumnae Melanie Braendel and Aimee Burns. Tools for Success is a program funded in part by the United Way of Greater Victoria and developed by the centre in consultation with Harrison. Indge, Braendel and Burns provide weekly group tutoring sessions to children with epilepsy.
Dr. Mary Ellen Purkis, dean of the Faculty of Human and Social Development, has been a long-time supporter of the United Way. “Making a donation to the United Way means that effective programs can be delivered—programs that address the central issues that people face in this community, such as programs that collaborate to provide safe and appropriate housing for people, that support people to learn and be excellent parents to their children, that ensure elders can be connected to people and services that help them remain independent in their homes,” says Purkis.
The collective effort of everyone involved at UVic will go a long way to assist the one in three Victorians who receive support through the United Way: $120 will buy 75 meals at a community meal program; $240 will ensure that a child with learning disabilities can attend eight sessions of intensive educational support; and $500 will cover 3 months’ of recreation expenses for a group of younger adults with mental handicaps and mental illness.
The UVic 2007 United Way campaign has already collected more than 440 donations and over $165,000. The “Post-Secondary Challenge” is still on, issued by Royal Roads University to UVic and Camosun College to see which institution can achieve the greatest increase in participation and donations.
There’s still time for UVic faculty and staff to get in paper pledge forms. In addition, donations from students and employees can be submitted online through the UVic United Way website. The campaign draws to a close at the end of November, so keep watching the site for details about additional events and end-of-campaign prizes.
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