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| Posted 04.04.08 |
Wesleyan Raises More Than 136,000 for United Way
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Wesleyan raised $136,098.32 this year to support the Middlesex United Way,
topping last year’s campaign total. The campaign supports critical human
care services and county-wide projects that address the top concerns of
local residents: housing, mental health and substance abuse.
 Funds
were raised through the annual Wesleyan Employee Campaign. This year, 498
employees and 24 vendors participated. Of these, 99 were new givers and 125
individuals increased their gift from the previous year.
“Although we are short of our stated goal this year, our campaign garnered
terrific results,” says Karen Collins, 2007-08 campaign chair and chair of
the Mathematics and Computer Science Department. “This money will be used to
meet critical needs in our communities. I can’t thank all Wesleyan
gift-givers enough for your much-needed support.”
According to the United Way of America, Wesleyan ranks first in per capita
giving, second in average gift and fifth in total dollars among public and
private universities served by similar sized United Ways. Locally, Wesleyan
ranks third in total giving.
About 40 employees and three vendors were in the Leadership Circle, giving
gifts of $1,000 or more. The total of their gifts amounted to $67,000.
Departments with 100 percent contribution include Classical Studies,
International Studies, Physics, Office of the Registrar and Department of
Religion.
Wesleyan is one of 310 businesses and organizations in the area
participating in the Employee Campaign. Last year, these businesses, along
with more than 8,600 residents raised $2.1 million for the campaign.
Wesleyan has been involved with the campaign for more than 60 years and
returns as a Silver Sponsor in 2007/08.
“Workplace campaigns are a great morale booster for employees, providing a
unique opportunity for co-workers to join together in a common goal that
benefits their local community,” explains Andy Heuer, Middlesex United Way
resource development director.
Middlesex United Way supports several local agencies including the American
Red Cross, Community Health Center Miles of Smiles Program, the Middlesex
Hospital Parental Program, Middletown Youth Services Bureau, Oddfellows
Playhouse Youth Theater, Women and Families Center/Central Connecticut
Sexual Assault Crisis Service and YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, among
others.
“Organizations that work in Middlesex County through United Way provide
fundamental support to people and families in need,” says Employee Campaign
giver Adrian Cooke, web administrator for University Relations. "I wanted to
give back what I can to my community. It’s the least I could do.”
Donors to the United Way Wesleyan Employee Campaign had the opportunity to
take part in a raffle. The winners and prizes are:
Rommel Guadalupe, assistant director of institutional research, won an
overnight stay and breakfast at the Inn at Middletown; Kirsten Carlson,
administrative assistant in the Physical Education Department, received a
Wilson tennis racket and tennis balls; John Frazer, professor of art,
emeritus, won a gift basket from Broad Street Books; Susan Krajewski,
assistant registrar, was awarded four tickets to any Center for the Arts
event; Karen Collins received free enrollment in a one-day arts workshop at
the Green Street Arts Center; and Cooke won a $100 gift certificate to the
Wesleyan Computer Store.
More information on the Middlesex United Way is online at
http://www.middlesexunitedway.org/
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By Olivia Bartlett, The Wesleyan Connection
editor |
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