The official United Way Campaign has ended, however, there is still time for members of the York community to support this year’s campaign. To date, York’s 2005 United Way Campaign has raised $116,687. Over 90 per cent of the total raised so far is the result of generous pledge card donations made by 245 employees of York University and York University Foundation.
"The 2005 campaign team thanks the York community," said Sue Levesque, this year’s employee campaign chair. "The $116,687 raised can provide 3,900 hours of home care for elderly people who are striving to remain independent and live in their own homes, or it can provide a day of shelter and a night of safety for 585 women and children struggling to leave abusive relationships.
The funds raised, says Levesque, can also be used to fund innovative programs such as The Sunshine Garden, an urban farm in downtown Toronto that grows vegetables for The Good Food Box. The farm provides a source of income for its staff, many of whom suffer from severe mental problems and are gaining important work experience in the Sunshine Garden.
"We are so close to our 2005 campaign goal of $185,000 and the campaign team encourages previous year's donors to renew their gifts and return their pledge cards before January. For potential new donors it might be helpful to know that payroll deductions will not begin until January," said Levesque.
"As 2005 employee campaign Chair and on behalf of our leadership co-chairs, Professor Eileen Fischer and Michael Graham, AVP Facilities Services, I'd also like to thank all the ambassadors who canvassed their colleagues and who raised awareness and dollars through such an inspired line-up of special events."
To wrap up the campaign, York’s Parking and Transportation Services, will be hosting a bake sale on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The sale will take place from 10am to 3pm in Room 117, William Small Centre.
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.