[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/runners edited.jpg” caption=”Debbie Marinoff-Shupe, Manager of Recreation Services at Athletics and Recreation, and Leah Hoover, Associate Director of Annual Giving at University Advancement, participated in last year’s Run/Walk for the United Way. Photo courtesy Lorraine Redmond.”]

To kick off McMaster's 2006 United Way campaign, the President's Office will be hosting the 5K Run and 3K Walk on Oct. 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The theme is “United, the McMaster Way.” So, dig out your sneakers and join us for an afternoon stroll or high-powered run around McMaster's beautiful campus, all for a worthy cause.

Anyone in the McMaster Community is welcome to participate in the event, but you must register.

Registration information and further details about this year's campaign are available by clicking here.

Awards will be given to the top male and female runners and walkers. The first 200 participants to pre-register online will receive a T-shirt. If you register online by 5 p.m. on Oct. 17, you will be eligible to win an iPod.

According to the Hamilton/Burlington United Way chapter, McMaster University has long since been the largest corporate donor. This year's donation target has been set at $180,000.

“McMaster is a generous community, and we are planning substantially more robust marketing and communication efforts to achieve the target,” said Louis Schmidt, who co-chairs the McMaster committee with Lisa Boniface.

While the majority of campaign contributions come through individual employee donations, traditionally there has been many campus or departmental activities that also contribute.

Bake sales, the annual Mitten Campaign run by Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour and many other department campaigns are organized each year in support of the campaign. These events will be happening in October and November, so stay tuned for further information.

Oct. 20 is also “Red and White Day.” You can show your support for the United Way on this day by wearing red and white.

For more information about the United Way, please visit www.uwaybh.ca.