University raises $277K and counting for United Way
The McMaster United Way campaign has nearly reached its target, thanks to the efforts of dedicated committee members. L-R: Michele Corbeil, Leah Rosenthal, Peter Self (co-chair), Ken Cruikshank (co-chair), Nick Bontis (United Way of Hamilton/Burlington chair), Stephanie McAulay (United Way of Hamilton/Burlington), Deb Garland and Lorraine Redford.
If you’ve been thinking about donating to the United Way this year, now is the time to help ensure the McMaster campaign reaches its ambitious target of $300,000.
That was the message Wednesday, as McMaster campaign co-chairs Ken Cruikshank and Peter Self presented Nick Bontis – campaign co-chair of the United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton – with a first installment cheque for $277,193.
“We always knew that $300,000 would be a stretch goal,” Cruikshank noted after the announcement. “So we are really excited to have reached the 92 per cent mark by now. $23,000 may seem like a lot of money to raise over the next few weeks, but keep in mind that our campaign team has secured over $39,000 in just the last 10 days.”
Bontis told the crowd at the Holiday Open House that, as a McMaster faculty member, he is proud that McMaster is now the largest employee campaign contributor in the region’s United Way campaign. “I want to keep it that way,” said Bontis. “Anyone who knows me knows that I am a competitive person. And I always go for the gold.” All contributions received until Dec. 31 will count towards the McMaster campaign total.
This year’s campaign included the Leadership Quilt Initiative. Last year, the campaign received a quilt crafted and donated by the women of Urban Native Homes as a thank-you for the support provided by the United Way. The quilt is on display outside Council Chambers in Gilmour Hall, alongside a plaque that will list all of those who give $1,000 or more to the 2012 campaign. “Last year, we had 95 leadership donors by the end of the campaign,” noted Self. “This year, we already have 110 leadership donors.”
“We would like to thank everyone who has given to the campaign so far and participated in the campus events,” continued Self. “The next few weeks are going to be critical, and I’m confident we’ll be able to reach our goal again this year.”
McMaster faculty, staff and students got involved in several events throughout the 2012 campaign, including the 2012 Annual Silent Auction, Hat’s Off to the United Way, 50/50 draws at the Homecoming and Yates Cup football games, a Hallowe’en party at the Downtown Centre, a raffle at the annual Children’s Party, an “aerobathon” within Athletics & Recreation, an annual Soup & Salad Fest and Auction in Pediatrics and bake sales and other fundraisers on campus and at the Ron Joyce Centre. Some volunteered their time, some their services. Some gave through payroll deduction, and some dropped their change into the coin boxes provided by Hospitality Services.
Click here to make a donation or print a pledge form, or call the campaign office at 905-525-9140 ext. 24083 for more information. Although pledges are welcome any time, only those received before Dec. 31 will be included in the 2012 campaign.
