United Way campaign begins Oct. 20

4:10 p.m., Oct. 16, 2003--On Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 14, approximately 140 University of Delaware representatives gathered at the Bob Carpenter Center for the kick-off ceremony and solicitors’ orientation session for UD’s upcoming United Way campaign.

Following opening remarks by campaign chair Richie Holland, manager of Human Resources, Maxine Colm, vice president for administration, discussed the benefits of pledging to United Way and thanked the organizers of this year’s campaign.

“We’ve gathered here today to begin work on our annual United Way fund drive and, importantly, to recognize some colleagues who contribute a great deal to the success of those efforts on our campus,” Colm said.

Colm closed her remarks by introducing Michelle Taylor, acting president of United Way of Delaware, and UD President David P. Roselle.

Maxine Colm, vice president for administration: “We’ve gathered here today to begin work on our annual United Way fund drive and, importantly, to recognize some colleagues who contribute a great deal to the success of those efforts on our campus.”

“We know from last year’s successful campaign that, through your good efforts and the generosity of our colleagues, we are able to reach a goal of $175,000,” Roselle said. “We did just that in 2002—in fact, we were over by about $2,000. So, we’re energized and ready to do it again, and early indicators are good.

“Our Pacesetters’ Campaign, led this year by Carolyn Thoroughgood, dean of the College of Marine Studies, has just concluded, and 57 donors have pledged $26,544.16. That’s up over last year. Our retirees also have been contacted, and they have donated so far in excess of $3,000. We hope that number will grow.

“In all, we’ll reach about 3,900 employees in this year’s campaign,” Roselle said, “and the major point of contact will be by you, the 135 solicitors who represent units across the campus.”

Taylor, who gave a personal face to the campaign through case history anecdotes, echoed Roselle’s enthusiasm.

“You’ve heard a lot about fundraising and a lot about money,“ she said, “but the campaign isn’t really about money—it’s about people and changing lives. We talk a lot about need and statistics, and a lot of times we think these people are strangers—but they’re not. They’re someone’s mother, or brother or daughter.”

The UD campaign, which begins Monday, Oct. 20, and runs through Friday, Nov. 14, will be kept on track by representatives from each University department. In addition to promoting the $175,000 campaign among their colleagues, departmental solicitors also will be available to field any questions related to pledging.

Michelle Taylor, acting president of United Way of Delaware: “You’ve heard a lot about fundraising and a lot about money. But the campaign isn’t really about money—it’s about people and changing lives.”

To further facilitate pledging and cut down on unnecessary paperwork, a convenient URL [www.udel.edu/unitedway] now provides UD employees with the option of making secure online pledges directly to United Way. (To properly access the link, employees will need Internet Explorer, the University’s browser of choice. For those not already using Internet Explorer, downloading instructions will be provided on UDaily beginning Monday, Oct. 20.)

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, the United Way of Delaware has been committed to improving the quality of life for all Delawareans. Each year the organization serves this mission by raising millions of dollars that it then allocates to programs that target the most serious issues facing the community.

The annual fund drive and fund allocation process brings together thousands of volunteers, more than 1,000 employers and organizations, more than 100 full and affiliate member agencies and tens of thousands of individual donors, all of whom are dedicated to making a positive difference in the community.

The overall target goal for United Way’s 2003 campaign is $28.3 million. To learn more about United Way of Delaware, call 573-3700, or visit [www.uwde.org].

Article by Becca Hutchinson
Photos by Kathy Atkinson

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