Three weeks into the United Way Campaign and York University has reached the $70,000 mark in donations, approaching the halfway point in its goal of raising $190,000. The past few weeks have been very busy for those working on the campaign, with events such as the Facilities Services Car Wash and the inaugural York University Clothing Swap for the United Way.
York's intrepid Facilities Services team found themselves knee-deep in the suds at the annual Car Wash held on Thursday, Nov. 9 in support of York's United Way Campaign.
A total of $225 was raised by the dedicated group who scrubbed 40 cars in support of the cause. The Facilites Services Car Wash was organized by Bob Smith, director, grounds & vehicles, Facilities Services.
"Special thanks on behalf of the United Way Campaign go to Bob Smith and the Facilities team for their time and effort," said Danielle Chateau, United Way Campaign co-chair.
Right: Facilities Services employees clean up for the United Way
In addition to getting clean cars, many in the York community cleaned out their closets for the United Way. The first annual York University Clothing Swap for the United Way took place on Tuesday, Nov. 14 in the Underground Restaurant at the Student Centre on York's Keele campus.
The clothing swap was organized by Ijade Maxwell Rodrigues, executive officer, Office of the President. "I thought this event was a tremendous success as we raised over $350 for the United Way," said a delighted Maxwell Rodrigues. "We had 35 volunteers and 74 participants. The remaining clothing was donated to two local charities, Women Moving Forward and the Jane/Finch Family and Community Centre."
Left: Participants in the first annual York University Clothing Swap
The campaign's earlybird deadline was Nov. 17. Campaign co-chairs had the happy task of drawing names for the earlybird prizes. The grand prize of an Aramark Gift Basket, valued at $250, donated by Aramark Services, was won by Karen Hall. Cheryl Dickie won two tickets to the Nov. 26 Toronto Raptors basketball game. The tickets, valued at $112, are for the Raptors' match against the Indiana Pacers.
Cindy Bettcher won a $25 gift certificate for use in York Lanes and Peter Cribb won a $30 Sport York Gift Pack.
The final campaign deadline for pledge cards is Nov. 24. All pledge cards received by the deadline will be entered into a grand prize draw for an iPod Nano, valued at $250. The grand prize was donated by Tri-Tech Electrical Contractors. Also included in the final deadline draw are a number of other great prizes:
Prize | Value | Donated by |
| Two tickets to a Rogers Cup semi-final match | $200 | Office of the President |
| Two Gold Session tickets to the Rogers Cup | $170 | Tennis Canada |
| Utensil Set | $100 | Automatic Compactors |
| Car Care Kit | $100 | Facilities Services |
| Prize pack | $30 | Sport York |
| Prize pack | $30 | Sport York |
| Prize pack | $30 | Sport York |
| Gift certificate | $25 | York University Development Corporation |
Also on until Friday is York's Cup-A-Soup Week in Central Square on the Keele campus. Hosted by the Offices of the President, the Vice-Presidents and the University Secretary & General Counsel, and the York University Foundation, the Cup-A-Soup Week offers a cup of vegetarian or traditional soup and roll for just a toonie. The soup is donated by Petal Foods, operators of the Atkinson Cafeteria (Michelangelo’s).
Visit the United Way of Greater Toronto Web site to learn more about the campaign and the people who benefit from the organization.
For more information on York’s United Way Campaign, e-mail this year’s campaign co-chairs, Danielle Chateau or Sue Levesque.