U of M United Way Campaign: Give at the Office

November 12, 2014 at 9:42 am

As the fall weather turns chillier and we quickly approach the holiday season, I’m reminded of how much so many of us have to be thankful for.

However, as we all know, there are many members of our community who are not as fortunate and who need our help.

As a faculty and as health-care providers, we bring our talents, our compassion, and our medical and health expertise to helping others as part of our professions. Today, I’m appealing to that same spirit of generosity and compassion and am asking you to make your contribution to the University of Manitoba Bannatyne Campus United Way Campaign.

With your support, we can help newcomers to our country find job training; assist parents with pres-choolers as they prepare their children for school; and aid struggling families find affordable housing. For as little as $2.00 per paycheque, you can help someone in our city change their life for the better.

Last year, our university community raised more than $640,000 for the United Way, with the Bannatyne campus raising $310,356 of that total. This was one of the top five totals raised by any Winnipeg workplace. We are on target to reach last year’s goal, and with your help I know we will surpass it.

To date we have raised $122,363 on Bannatyne Campus from 65 donors, 37 leader donors, eight major donors, and through special events.

This year, our University of Manitoba campaign co-chairs are Rod Berscheid, Dr. David Mandzuk and Dr. Sharon Macdonald. Dr. Emily Etcheverry is chairing the leaders’ campaign on the Bannatyne campus and Dr. Brian Macpherson is chair of the retirees’ campaign. I’d like to thank each of these volunteers and all of the Bannatyne Campus volunteers for their time and commitment. With their leadership, I am confident we will be able to top our past achievements.

A few weeks ago, you received a United Way campaign letter and donation request form. If you have not had a chance yet to respond, I hope you will consider this request, ask questions of any of the United Way volunteers and campaign chairs and “give at the office.”

I encourage all of you to make your contribution. Each donation, no matter the amount, makes a difference. Thank you!

Speaking of giving, you will notice around campus this week it is the University of Manitoba “#WeekofThanks” thanking our donors for their generosity to student awards, research chairs and professorships, capital projects and more. Everyone is encouraged to thank donors for their support by having their photos taken in a photo booth set up in Brodie Atrium from 11:30 am – 1 pm daily Nov. 12, 13, 14 or by entering the Instagram contest.

What are you grateful for?