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By Tara Sharpe
Jennie Nilsson collects coins for a cause. Photo: Tara Sharpe Those spare coins jangling around in your pocket or purse can quickly add up to a whole lot of positive change for someone in need in the Greater Victoria region. That’s the idea behind this year’s United Way coin drive fundraiser now in full swing across campus.
Jennie Nilsson, placement coordinator for UVic Co-operative Education Program and Career Services, is organizing the coin drive and single-handedly delivered coin jars to 120 departments across campus in mid September.
“I’m really excited the United Way is so prominently visible in every department,” says Nilsson. “Some departments are even clamoring for some friendly competition.”
Nilsson will be posting details, once finalized, at www.unitedway.uvic.ca about how to kick off challenges between departments. Every coin collected will go to the United Way of Greater Victoria.
Nilsson delivered the jars over a three-day period, starting off first in high heels then switching to flat shoes. She admits that by the end of the first day, she “was in flip-flops.” Sore feet aside, Nilsson’s enthusiasm is evident, and she emphasizes the response from numerous departments during her visits was also “overwhelmingly positive.”
Although Nilsson isn’t storing them in her office, full jars can be returned to her at the co-op and
career office near the UVic Bookstore to be shipped off for banking. Nilsson is also willing to slip on her flip-flops again and pick up jars. She can be contacted at jnilsson@uvic.ca or 250-721-6582. The coin drive wraps up in mid December.
The UVic United Way campaign kicked off this year with the annual BBQ on Sept. 21. Other events are set to raise the temperature even hotter on the iconic United Way thermometers on campus and across the city. United Way of Greater Victoria hopes to raise $6.35 million this year.
“We have been hearing a lot about tough economic times in the last year or so,” says Norah McRae, executive director of UVic Co-operative Education Program and Career Services, and this year’s campaign committee chair. “This means times are even tighter for those in need. Every pledge form, coin and dollar can truly make a huge difference.”
For as little as $120 a year ($5 per pay-cheque), a job coach can be provided to help a person dealing with mental illness and looking for work, while $500 will provide daily nutritious meals to people coping with the challenges of living with HIV, and $1,200 will provide a parenting program for high-risk moms.
The University of Victoria 2009 United Way campaign goal is $275,000. Campus contributions last year exceeded the $265,000 goal and placed UVic in the number-two spot in the city for total dollars raised.
By filling in and returning the paper pledge form for monthly payroll deductions, you will be eligible for daily prize draws. If you are a student, you can still donate online and be eligible for great student prizes.
Details about donating, prize draws, campus events and other information: www.unitedway.uvic.ca
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