Annual United Way campaign kicks off October 9
Every year UBC’s staff and faculty roll up their sleeves for the United Way, staging more than 45 events—including a pancake race, a spelling bee, the Building Ops Custodial BBQ, bake sales and more—to support good works in our community.
In 2011, 910 staff and faculty made donations through payroll deductions to the United Way of the Lower Mainland and United Way of the Central Okanagan, helping to support more than 190 non-profit organizations meeting the health and social needs of our communities. This year, UBC is hoping a greater number will be moved to contribute.
Joanne Young, manager of payroll services for UBC, has been a volunteer with the campaign since she started at UBC nine years ago.
Young helps manage payroll deductions, participates in the United Way steering committee, and lends a hand at a number of events.
“We’re living with a hard hit economy and even with two parents working, many families are living paycheque to paycheque,” Young said. “It only takes one event or incident and these families are in need of support.”
The United Way supports organizations that help these families get through times of need and provide high-quality programs.
The Early Years Refugee Project helps new arrivals to Surrey, Burnaby, Tri-Cities, Langley, Vancouver and Richmond. Refugees often face isolation, language barriers, poverty, and lack of childcare. The Early Years Refugee Project allows kids and parents to learn together, discovering Canadian culture, learning English, developing a social network and feeling supported.
On a more personal level, Young says she is always inspired by the overwhelming dedication that her UBC colleagues bring to the campaign.
“I enjoy working with people that I wouldn’t otherwise meet,” she said. “It’s been a lot of fun.”
This year, UBC’s United Way campaign is offering new incentives to donate. New donors who give over $1,000 or existing Leadership donors who increase their gift by 15 per cent, will see their gift matched by the Philanthropists’ Circle.
The 2012 UBC United Way campaign runs from Oct. 9 to Nov. 30, with a goal to raise $650,000 by increasing the number of staff and faculty who give a little bit each month through payroll deductions.
For more information, visit: www.unitedway.ubc.ca
