United Way campaign goal 100 percent participation

BY SALLY ACHARYA

Walk around the office, or stroll through the quad and take a look at every third person.

Those are the people who donated to United Way through AU last year: professors, accountants, administrators, technicians, grounds workers, and administrative assistants who each gave an average of $25 to help nonprofit causes from children's clinics to homeless shelters to elder care.

While that's a lot of people and a lot of money-about $68,000 last year-the university has set the ambitious goal of reaching 100 percent participation in its annual United Way Campaign, which kicks off this week.

This year, people have an opportunity to donate either to September 11 relief efforts or to other charities and causes, including some 900 organizations in the Washington metropolitan area.

Anyone who would like to earmark donations for those affected by the events at the World Trade Center or Pentagon can contribute to the United Way's September 11 Fund, which channels 100 percent of the money into relief efforts.

During the campaign, which runs through Nov. 12, unit solicitors will provide faculty and staff with pledge cards and information on the various charities helped by United Way, which donates 90 cents of every dollar to its charities, according to United Way of the National Capital Area.

Donations can be made as one-time gifts or as payroll deductions. It's also possible to donate directly to relief efforts in the Washington, D.C., area, by recording code 9011 on the pledge sheet, or to the New York City relief, using the code 9012.

Unit solicitors will provide pledge cards and information on various charities to faculty and staff. Members of the United Way Campaign Team are Cheryl Chappin of the controller's office, Morris Jackson of the development office, Tina Maynigo at the School of International Service, Salma Salim of the registrar's office, Barbara Briggie-Smith of student services, Rob Linson and Aida Xhepa of enrollment services, and Marvie Grulke of finance.

Jackson has a message for donors: "Thank you," he says, "for your generous heart."