The counts are in.

Everyone’s a winner with IU’s United Way campaigns

By Rose McIlveen and Jayne Spencer

IU Bloomington

The campus drive got underway Sept. 28 with a goal of $600,000, an increase of 10 percent over last year’s record-breaking $544,000, and ended Nov. 28. Pledges were at $433,907, or nearly 75 percent, and climbing following the Thanksgiving holiday. Volunteers in each department came up with cookie sales, auctions, raffles and presentations from member agencies. Members of Greek organizations staged Greekfest, one of the largest student United Way fund-raisers in the United States. Campaign co-chairs were Dottie Frapwell, university counsel, and Christopher Simpson, vice president for public affairs and government relations. They were assisted by campaign coordinator Jeremy Hatch, an IU graduate student.

IUPUI

The Indianapolis campus drive began Sept. 16 with faculty, staff and students participating in a “Day of Caring” community outreach. The campus goal was $300,000 and a 24-percent participation rate. The annual golf tournament brought in $2,145, an increase over last year’s total of $1,800. A tennis tournament raised $6,600, and 135 “Chili for Charity” contestants contributed $3,280. The campus drive has officially closed with 85 percent of the goal reached. Pledges are still coming in. Co-chairs were Nan Bohan, Office of the Dean of Faculties; Dr. Ken Kopecky of the Department of Radiology; Norman Lefstein, dean of the School of Law; and Emily Wren, director of Campus Facility Services. Campaign coordinator was Mary Kate Myers.

IU East

At the Richmond campus, $12,000 was the goal, and the campaign ended Nov. 1. Co-chairs were Martin Pentz, assistant professor of social work; Cheryl Stafford, interim director of Student Support Services; and Diane Chandler, director of human resources.

IPFW

United Way volunteers set a goal for themselves—300 campus donors at the Fort Wayne campus. There was a kick-off breakfast, and posters and brochures were delivered to the various departments. The drive has ended, and $24,000 was raised. Chair of the campaign was Jeanette Clausen, assistant vice chancellor.

IU Kokomo

The goal was $8,757 and the campaign began in mid-October with letters sent to all employees. Co-chairs Shelle Kelz, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and Linda Robbins, coordinator of the 21 Century Early Outreach Program, made a number of presentations to campus groups. The campaign officially ended Nov. 15 with a celebration. Additional pledges are expected.

IU Northwest

The United Way campaign on the Gary campus began Oct. 1 and ended Nov. 17. No specific dollar amount or percent of participation was set. Robert Weiler, a lecturer in the Division of Social Work and chair of the campaign, gave a presentation to the Faculty Organization and posters were distributed all over the campus.

IU Southeast

Faculty and staff at the New Albany campus were treated to a free lunch on Sept. 28, provided they picked up their pledge card at the event. The goal was to have more than 50 percent participation by full-time faculty and staff. The campaign ended Nov. 8 with a celebratory event that included drawings for free door prizes for those who gave during the drive. The campaign was headed up by Linda Rasmussen, Office of External Affairs, and Beverly Biggs, Office of Student Affairs.

IU South Bend

The goal on the South Bend campus was $30,000. The drive ran Oct. 16- Nov. 17. David Vollrath, associate professor of management, described the unusual incentive provided by the St. Joseph County United Way. “New contributors who give $2 per week and continuing contributors who increase their giving by $2 a week will be entered into a lottery to win a six-month lease of a Hummer, the military vehicle that is manufactured here in the county,” he said.