10:33 a.m., Oct. 30, 2009----The University of Delaware's 2009 United Way employee campaign is more than 70 percent of the way to its goal of raising $175,000 to help families and individuals in need. Donations from UD employees and retirees in the first two weeks of the drive have topped $123,000.

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The campaign, with a national theme of “Live United,” supports the United Way of Delaware, the state's largest fundraising organization, which assists more than 100 human-service agencies in improving the quality of life for their clients.

The statewide United Way campaign has set a goal of $20.5 million this year to support such key initiatives as helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence and improving health.

UD's campaign kicked off on Oct. 19 and continues until about Nov. 20. It includes some new features and activities, such as drawings every Friday that will randomly select seven prizewinners each week from among those donors who choose to participate in the special raffles. The prizes include tickets for performances at the Bob Carpenter Center, weekend accommodations for two at the Virden Center, a summer 2010 Outdoor Pool membership, lunch for two with head football coach K.C. Keeler and many other incentives.

To see a list of the winners and their prizes, visit UD's United Way Web site. The site also features updates on the University's progress toward its campaign goal and a list of “United Way Champions,” employees in departments and offices across campus who have volunteered their time to bring the campaign's message to their colleagues and who can answer questions about the campaign and the process of making a gift.

Employees are asked to donate through an electronic form, if possible. Donations can be made through payroll deduction, credit card, electronic check or “bill me later” options. They can be a general gift to the United Way of Delaware's Community Impact Fund, targeted to a strategic focus area such as families and children or strong neighborhoods, or designated to one or more specific agencies.

E-mails, with a link to the electronic donation form, were previously sent to employees. To have your e-mail re-sent or to request a paper form, contact [mjones@udel.edu] or [kimd@udel.edu].

UD has a long history of support for the United Way. In the last 14 years, members of the University community have contributed more than $2.7 million through the campaign. In the 2008 campaign, some 766 employees and retirees pledged $185,120, surpassing the fundraising target for the year.

Article by Ann Manser
Photo by Kathy F. Atkinson