Yale Bulletin and Calendar

September 24, 2004|Volume 33, Number 4

Yale launches $1 million United Way drive

To reach its unprecedented goal for this year's United Way campaign, Yale is involving every part of the University community and featuring new ways to raise awareness and participation among faculty, staff and students.

"It's remarkable how many different segments of the University are represented in this year's campaign. They are committed members of the Yale community who are working together to help us reach our goal of $1 million -- almost doubling what we raised last year, $566,000," says Judith Dozier Hackman, chair of the University's campaign, associate dean of Yale college and recipient of the United Way's Coordinator of the Year Award for 2003.

Hackman, who noted that Locals 34 and 35 are represented in the campaign's leadership this year, says that the campaign's schedule includes contests, events and community service projects appealing to everyone at Yale.

To aid in reaching this goal, the University has offered a challenge grant of $100,000 to be matched dollar for dollar toward any new money raised in the campaign. The entire match will be used toward Success By 6®, an initiative of United Way to help ensure that all children in the New Haven region have the tools they need to succeed when they enter school. In addition, an anonymous donor has agreed to add whatever new funds are needed to match any new money above the first $100,000.

The theme of this year's campaign is "improving lives," which will be printed on thousands of wrist bands (much like the ones that Nike sold to support Lance Armstrong this summer). The bands will be distributed to members of the Yale community who contribute to the United Way of Greater New Haven.

"We hope that the wrist bands will be a fun and fashionable reminder of the culture of giving we have here at Yale ... and that when you give to United Way, you are truly making an investment in the community, and ultimately improving the lives of thousands of individuals in Greater New Haven," Hackman says.

Activities already underway are:

* The Book Drive, in which over 300 boxes were placed all over campus so people could donate new or gently used children's books that will then be distributed to children in the area through New Haven Reads;

* The Leadership Circle Campaign led by co-chairs Peter Salovey, dean of Yale College, and John Pepper, vice president of finance and administration, for individuals who donate $1,000 or more to United Way -- an initiative that has raised almost $300,000;

* Trainings for United Way champions and captains, ambassadors who will deliver the United Way message to their colleagues throughout the campaign;

* A myriad of Day of Caring projects (community service projects) that were held during the week following Sept. 11 by groups of students, faculty and employees all over the New Haven area.

Upcoming events include a Sept. 29 fundraising event for graduate students at the GPSCY (suggested donation is $3 per person or a new or gently used children's book); and an undergraduate campaign kickoff on Oct. 2 with student bands and refreshments on Cross Campus.

Suggesting ways Yale community members can support Yale's United Way campaign, Hackman says, "If you are a student, you can attend one of these events. If you are an employee of the University, you will receive a pledge form through campus mail, along with more information about United Way. Give for the first time or increase your gift from last year, and the University will double it. What a terrific incentive!"

One strong supporter of the efforts to reach this year's campaign goal and raise awareness for United Way and Success By 6® is Vice President John Pepper.

"My wife and I have been strong supporters of the United Way for 40 years in Cincinnati, and we will provide the same support here in New Haven," says Pepper. "The reason is that I know of no better way to improve the lives of the people who live in our community, including many, many members of our own Yale families. This year, more than ever, our support of the United Way will count because we are launching the Success By 6® program. This program is dedicated to providing the child care, the literacy training and the many other things that every child and his or her parents need to be ready to successfully enter school. For the first time, too, the University will be making a significant contribution to match every new gift and every increased gift that we make.

"Please help make this year's campaign the greatest ever," he adds. "Countless people will benefit from our generosity -- and benefit this community for years to come."

More information about this year's United Way campaign is available at www.uwgnh.org/yaleu.cfm or www.yale.edu/learningcenter/unitedway.

T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S

Grant to support research on role of viruses in cancer

Series honors graduation of Yale's first Chinese student 150 years ago

Program marks 35th anniversary of Afro-American Cultural Center

Study: Recreational gambling can be good for seniors' health

Yale launches $1 million United Way drive

Symposium to explore past and future of suburbanization

Event honors late historian of American South

New bioscience company at Science Park offering . . .

Exhibit showcases work of long-ignored landscape artist

Mayhew lauded for his studies of party politics

Congress' only Holocaust survivor to discuss . . .

Noted playwright to speak about his life, Jewish religion

Prize-winning poet Adrienne Rich will read from her work

Older marathon runners are making greater strides . . .

Cultivating a culture of trust was topic of inaugural conference

Dwight Hall interns devote the summer to causes in New Haven

Reimbursements now available through direct deposit

IN MEMORIAM