Donations and volunteers: these are the two key elements to any successful fundraising campaign. As Dalhousie’s United Way campaign comes to a close, we’re taking this opportunity to profile six volunteers from across Dal’s campuses who have hit the ground running in the name of helping others.
Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick
Name: Tricia Cole
Position at Dalhousie: Simulated Patient Educator; 3 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: 1
Campaign role: Selling 50/50 tickets and collecting (a lot of) paperwork.
Why I became involved with the United Way campaign: I believe in giving back to the community and helping those less fortunate than myself.
Why should people support United Way? It’s easy and it goes directly back to the community.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? Lots and lots and lots and lots of emails.
Agricultural Campus
Name: Marilyn Roberts
Position at Dalhousie: Administrative Assistant, Department of Plant and Animal Sciences; 9 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: 5
Campaign role: Committee volunteer, past Co-Chair and this year, Campaign Coordinator for the Agricultural Campus.
Why I became involved with the United Way campaign: Initially I was asked to help out with a committee, but then I learned how important an organization United Way really is and the amount of work they do within our community. I am very fortunate to have a job, a home and an extra penny in my pocket, so getting involved with the United Way is my way to give back a little of what I have to help others.
Why should people support United Way? United Way works hard to help everyone. This organization is helping people who live in your community: it could be your next-door neighbor or a complete stranger in need… There are more people in need within our communities than we realize. It is a win-win situation when we support the United Way: you are changing someone’s life – helping to make it better, which in turn will enrich our community as a whole.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? I try to point out that it is easy to contribute and that a little can do so much. Contributing as little as $1 per pay can buy school supplies for kids. Donating through payroll deduction is the best way to contribute – you don’t even miss those dollars coming off of your pay. Would it not be fantastic to say that Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture had 100% participation. That would be a proud moment for all of us!
Studley Campus
Name: Dolene Lapointe
Position at Dalhousie: Administrative Assistant for the School of Public Administration; 13 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: 10 or so
Campaign role: I started by helping Helen Cruikshanks, who was the FOM Coordinator for many years in the old building as well as in the Rowe until her retirement. I have been the Area Coordinator or co-coordinator for the Faculty of Management since it opened.
Why I became involved with the United Way campaign: I have first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing people with mental health issues, addictions, abuse, single parenthood and growing up in a socio-economically challenged area of Halifax’s North End. This gives me insight into the problems and appreciation for the organizations that are trying to help address these issues.
Why should people support United Way? By helping everyone to become productive members of society only then can we thrive as a whole.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? I send out emails, walk around with forms and tickets (with help— you know who you are), sell 50/50 tickets, etc. I bring up participation rates over amount of donation; no amount is too small. In the past I have manned sales tables and greeted people at the door with apples and smiles.
Carleton Campus
Name: Luisa Vaughan
Position at Dalhousie: Administrative Secretary, Graduate and Departmental, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine; 32 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: 24
Campaign role: I have been mainly a canvasser for the Department of Pharmacology. I also participate in fundraising activities through the Faculty of Medicine such as Tupper Toll, bake sales and the Candyland Sale, where we raised $206.
Why I became involved with United Way: Initially, I got involved because my former administrator did it. I was the newbie and was asked if I wanted to take over, which I happily agreed to.
Why should people support United Way? There are so many deserving organizations/causes out there – it’s hard to pick only one. United Way raises monies for many local non-profit groups, making a positive impact directly into our local community.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? In my small way, I encourage people (particularly in my department), all year-round by appealing to their sweet tooth! I brought in my leftover Halloween treats one year and sold them for a very nominal fee, donating the funds raised to United Way. My intent was to stop once Dal’s United Way Campaign was over, but my former supervisor noted that it seem like a popular thing – and why not continue all year round? I was able to raise $165.00 for last year's campaign!
Sexton Campus
Name: Carol Madden
Position at Dalhousie: Administrative Secretary for the School of Planning; 18 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: For as long as I have been at Dal, I have helped out with the United Way activities.
Campaign role: I’ve been one of the faculty's campaign reps and have helped with organizing bake sales and selling 50/50 tickets.
Why I became involved with the United Way campaign: We have a small faculty and I took a turn helping out with the campaign one year. After that, United Way became part of my activities at the office.
Why should people support United Way? There are so many people who need help and it is nice that United Way supports them.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? It's harder to ask people to donate but they love the 50/50s and the bake sales. We start our bake sales before classes begin so everyone spends a little for coffee and a treat and it's a two-way street - they get something and give something in return.
Name: Susanna Morash-Kent
Position at Dalhousie: Administrative Assistant to the Director, School of Architecture; 17 years at Dal.
Years involved with United Way: I'm not sure – a while. I think "off and on"; we all take turns in my department working with United Way.
Campaign role: I'm one of the reps. Two of us usually work together.
Why I became involved with the United Way campaign: I believe that we all should give back. No one is immune to bad times and everyone is responsible for each other. I know when I had hard times I certainly had help from my communities – my church, my fellow workers – so why should I ever turn down an opportunity to help others? I also want to be a good example to my children because I want them to think that way as well.
Why should people support United Way? One of the really nice things about giving to United Way is that it can be for a local cause. Many people don't like giving money to charity because they can't see the effect it has on others. With United Way you can choose the particular area of need you would like to support and you can see the impact right away. No excuses. Even a small donation can help.
How do you encourage people on campus to donate? The best way is to ask, and to give people opportunities. If they don't like making a paper donation, there's always a bake sale or a 50/50 draw... or jean day, or... the possibilities are endless. It's a contribution when someone bakes cookies for a bake sale. It's a contribution when someone buys the cookies. It all helps.
Campaign winding down - donate today!
To all of our United Way volunteers and supporters, we want to pass along a heartfelt thank you and invite everyone to a ‘Thank You’ event, scheduled for Friday, November 1 at noon. All are welcome to the Sculpture Court in the Arts Centre for cake, games and to celebrate this year’s campaign.
Halifax campus participation prizes will be drawn onsite (Truro campus employees have until November 6 to be included in the draw for participation prizes specific to their campus).
Note: Dalhousie's United Way campaign will remain open and donations will be accepted until the end of January 2014. Learn more at the United Way Dalhousie website.
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