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 today, as McMaster campaign co-chairs Martin Dooley, Peter Self and Arnav Agarwal presented Richard Koroscil, campaign co-chair of the United Way of Burlington and Great Hamilton, with a first installment cheque for $266,548.78.

“We always knew that $300,000 would be a stretch goal,” Dooley noted after the announcement, “so we are really excited to have reached the 89 per cent mark by now. The remaining $33,000 may seem like a lot of money to raise over the next few weeks, but we are hopeful that we can do it.”

All contributions received until 31 December will count towards the McMaster campaign total.

 “We would like to thank everyone who has given to the campaign so far and participated in the campus events,” said co-chair Peter Self. “The next few weeks are going to be critical and I’m confident that we’ll be able to reach our goal again this year.”

McMaster faculty, staff and students got involved in several events throughout the 2013 campaign including the 2013 Annual Silent Auction, 50/50 draw at the Homecoming football games, a Hallowe’en party at the Downtown Centre, a raffle at the annual Children’s Party, an annual Soup & Salad Fest and Auction in Pediatrics and bake sales and other fundraisers on campus. 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.  Everyone who donated is an “Everyday Hero”!

You can donate through payroll deduction, debit, credit card, or cheque. You will receive a link to the United Way ePledge system later today to make it easier to pledge online and through payroll deduction, or just follow the links under the “GIVE” heading on our campaign website for a paper pledge form: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/uway.

Although pledges are welcome at any time, only those received before Dec. 31 will be included in the 2013 campaign.