The results are finally in and the York Cares Campaign is celebrating another successful year among United Way’s top 15 per cent of contributors. The success is thanks to the University’s staff, faculty and students who, through their participation and financial support, work to address the community’s growing social concerns as part of the annual York Cares campaign. This past year was no exception.
Above: From left, Sarah Hurrie, senior development officer, corporations and foundations; Lisa Gleva, director, principal gifts and University development; York President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri; Carmen Clayton, associate director corporate partnerships, United Way; Vice-President Academic and Provost Rhonda Lenton; and Jeff O'Hagan, vice-president, advancement.
The 2014 York Cares Campaign has raised $218,900 in support of social services across the city – a 14 per cent increase over 2013. The range of causes that the United Way Toronto supports through its fundraising efforts is vast. Working closely with community agencies and partners — from government to business to labour — United Way is able to identify and address major social issues affecting the city. Informed by in-depth research, programming is targeted to areas that are most in need.
York’s President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shourki shared his praise for the contributions that York’s staff and faculty community made towards the 2014 campaign and reflected on the impact that this annual fundraising project can have for communities in need.
“Once again, York has demonstrated our commitment to creating a vibrant, healthy and safe community, both on campus and in our surrounding communities,” Shoukri said. “As we know, our University works to instill a strong sense of social responsibility in our students, so it is important that we, as staff and faculty, also live up to these expectations and do our part to make positive change in the community.”
The Participation Challenge Trophy
The York Cares Campaign saw contributions from 10 per cent of the University population through fundraising and team-building events. The campaign was supported through the efforts of more than 100 staff and faculty volunteers who ran breakfasts, auctions, games and awareness events throughout the month of November 2013.
The annual Participation Challenge trophy has been awarded to the Division of Advancement, whose staff team saw the highest percentage participation during the campaign. With 37 per cent participation from this team, the division’s results saw a 36 per cent increase over 2013.
“We are incredibly grateful for your strong support to the York Cares campaign and the impact that it generates for the United Way and for those in need in our community,” said Jeff O’Hagan, vice-president advancement, who served as leadership co-chair of the campaign along with Rhonda Lenton, vice-president academic and provost. “I’m very proud of the members of my division, who were visible supporters of the campaign and consistently demonstrated their passion for the cause. The participation we saw this past year from staff across campus has been inspiring to say the least and we know this means great things to come for the York Cares campaign.”
For more information about the United Way, visit the United Way Toronto website.