York University's 2005 United Way Campaign is just past its midpoint. "We've seen enthusiastic support for all of our special events so far and we've raised $53,698.12 in pledge card donations," said Sue Levesque, community relations officer and this year’s employee campaign chair. "We still have a long way to go to reach our goal of $185,000."
The United Way funds over 200 agencies in the Greater Toronto Area and provides a stable source of funding for a range of services and programming. "Giving to the United Way Community fund offers members of the York community an effective chance to put their philanthropic spirit into a variety of initiatives," said Levesque. "Alternatively, they can direct their gift to a specific United Way agency or target a specific service area, such as setting youth on a path to success or helping newcomers achieve their potential. They can also direct their gift to another charitable organization such as the York Foundation."
Pledge cards from York employees received on or before Friday, Nov. 18 will be included in an Early Bird Draw for a variety of prizes including a gift basket courtesy of Aramark which includes a coffee maker, Tim Horton's coffee and mugs; a lovely gift basket of wine from Churchill Cellars Ltd featuring wines from Banrock Station (an Australian Vineyard that won the 2002 RAMSAR Wetland Conservation Award); and a gift certificate from Klick's Beauty Salon in York Lanes for a wash, cut and blow dry.
For more about the work performed by the United Way group of agencies, visit the United Way of Greater Toronto Web site. For more information on York's United Way Campaign, call Sue Levesque at ext. 55597.