[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/UnitedWay_03_opt.jpg” caption=”United Way launch”]For $5 a month, you provide 10 hours of respite for caregivers of a family with a severe disability. For $7.83 a month, you provide two hours of counseling to families in crisis.

Every year, the United Way makes a significant impact on people's lives. This year, it hopes the impact will have a $6-million tag on it, with $175,000 of that from McMaster University.

McMaster United Way co-chairs Dorothy Pawluch and Mary Lynn Taylor stress the importance of the national fundraising initiative. “In our role as co-chairs, we have had the chance to see just how vital a role the United Way plays, extending its hand of caring to so many organizations and individuals in our community. McMaster not only leads the pack in the educational sector, but is one of the largest contributors in the community. We're proud of our association with the United Way, and prouder still of our co-workers at McMaster for being such strong and abiding supporters of the United Way.”

They are confident McMaster will achieve its goal. “So sure, in fact, that we have raised this year's goal from $165,000 to $175,000,” they said. “We have great confidence in the kindness and spirit of generosity among our colleagues. We know we'll make it. It's what good neighbours do.”

McMaster President Peter George agrees. “I know we can meet and perhaps surpass our goal,” he says. “The economic pressures on the families of our community are greater than ever and it is vital that we share what we can with those less fortunate than ourselves. Sometimes it is difficult to find those extra dollars to benefit others, but remember, no gift is too small, Give what you can, but please give.”

United Way is offering donor choice this year, which allows donors to direct how they wish their donation to be spent. Donors can choose to support an agency or program of choice or contribute to the Community Care Fund, where a citizen's review panel allocates support on the basis of need.

A number of fund-raising events will also take place, including a series of electronic bingos in the new year.

The 2003 McMaster campaign launched Nov. 7 and will run until Nov. 30.

Photo caption: McMaster launched its United Way campaign last week in the McMaster University Student Centre atrium. Photo credit: Chantall Van Raay.