A united front for United Way

Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine won a coveted parking spot. (Nick Pearce Photo)

Debbie Sheppard-LeMoine did her part for Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and it’s going to make her Dal commute a little easier next year.

Every faculty or staff member who donated to the campaign by the end of October was eligible to win a dedicated parking spot for a year or—for non-drivers—a year’s worth of bus passes. Ms. Sheppard-LeMoine, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing, was the lucky prize recipient and is taking the parking spot.

“I think it's a great prize to show appreciation for giving to the United Way,” says Ms. Sheppard-LeMoine. “It’s something the person truly benefits from and it supports those who work here. I'm sure it helps attract more donations and I hope Dalhousie continues to offer it and continues to support the United Way."

Though the initial “blitz” period ended in October, the university’s United Way campaign continues to accept donations through the end of the year and is still $62,000 shy of its $210,000 goal. Donations directly support community organizations working here in Halifax. Faculty and staff can donate securely online or can contact their area coordinator.

Ms. Sheppard-LeMoine says the cause is an important one.

“I’m a long-time supporter. The United Way makes diverse contributions to our communities and to families and a lot of people don't even realize just how much they do. I like that you can designate where you're contributions can go. I'm very happy that Dalhousie is a supporter of the United Way.”

Florence Millard also won by contributing to the campaign. The administrative assistant in the Vice-President Administration and Finance office took home $1,721 in the campaign’s 50/50 draw, and she’s already given a good chunk of that back to United Way. She’s also donating some of it to her church and using the rest to support her Christmas shopping this year.

“I’ve been at Dalhousie for 22 years and I’ve been partaking in the United Way campaign for 22 years,” she says, proudly. “It’s because it helps people in our own community. It’s people around you. It’s a community thing and I love that Dalhousie makes it so easy to contribute.”