York’s Schulich School of Business held its first ever French toast breakfast in support of the University’s 2010 United Way Campaign Dec. 7, in what is expected to be an annual event.

Sharon Chisholm, budget officer in the Office of the Executive Officer at Schulich, says she was inspired to organize the Schulich School of Business French Toast Breakfast when she learned that Seymour Schulich, the school’s benefactor, was to be one of this year’s United Way named donors.

“It was a total team effort and everyone was really excited to be involved,” she says. “The United Way is broad-based and it addresses a lot of needs in a lot of areas.” The event attracted over 150 people who enjoyed a hot breakfast of French toast and helped raise $360 for the United Way, bringing the total raised so far to $80,000. The goal of the campaign is to raise $200,000.

Each plate of French toast, provided by the Schulich Executive Learning Centre, was topped with a sprinkle of icing sugar to form the Schulich School of Business logo.

“This is a start of a great tradition. We are always pleased to see units and faculties demonstrate their own commitment to York’s United Way Campaign,” says Yvette Munro, employee campaign chair. “It is a University-wide initiative and therefore important to have uptake and engagement across campus.”

Above: From left, Jasmine Grisolia, fourth-year BBA student; Filomena Ticzon, administrative secretary for economics and international business at the Schulich School of Business; Rafeena Sattaur of the Office of the Executive Officer; Sharon Chisholm, budget officer in the Office of the Executive Officer, Schulich School of Business; Lucy Caringi of Schulich’s Executive Learning Centre; David Dimick, associate dean, academic, Schulich School of Business; Jordan Wood, first-year IBBA student and Yvette Munro, employee campaign chair

As a named donor, Seymour Schulich has teamed up with Ed Clark, president and CEO of TD Bank Financial Group. The Clark-Schulich Partnership in Philanthropy will match anyone who donates to the United Way for the first time at a Leadership level ($1,000 or more) or they will match any increases someone makes to their Leadership donation up to $1 million.

Left: Jasmine Grisolia (left) and Rafeena Sattaur

York’s United Way Campaign will continue into January 2011. York staff and faculty that have not contributed should expect a gentle reminder e-mail this week and another invitation to participate in the uw@work online pledge program. This safe and secure program offers a convenient way for the York community to support York’s annual United Way fundraiser campaign.

For those who prefer a paper pledge form, contact Farayi Mundangepfupfu at ext. 44206 or farayi@yorku.ca. Paper pledge forms with credit card and/or cheque payments must be received no later than Dec. 17 to be considered for the 2010 tax year.

For more information about York’s United Way Campaign, visit the United Way page of York’s Community Relations website.

It was a flipping great morning in Central Square Cafeteria Wednesday when over $800 was raised during the President’s Pancake Breakfast in support of the United Way.

The event kicked off York University’s United Way Campaign in a sweet way. For just $2 a pancake, hungry tummies were satisfied and enough money was raised to feed six families of four living below the poverty line for one week.

Right: President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri serves ’em up at the President’s Pancake Breakfast

“I’m really pleased to see that so many members of the York community came out to support the pancake breakfast for the United Way,” said President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri. “In supporting the United Way, you are helping to make a real and significant difference in the lives of so many living in our city.” He went on to say that he hopes this year’s campaign will generate even more funds than last year.

“This was one of the most successful pankcake breakfasts we’ve had,” said Yvette Munro, chair of York University’s United Way Employee Campaign. “Close to 300 people came out to support the United Way.”

The event was so busy that more pancake batter had to be mixed to keep up with demand as York administrators poured and tossed one fluffy, golden brown pancake after another.

Those administrators included Shoukri; Gary Brewer, vice-president finance & administration; Jennifer Sloan, vice-president university relations; Douglas Peers, dean and associate vice-president graduate; Rob Tiffin, vice-president students; Steve Dranitsaris, senior executive officer, Division of Vice-President Finance & Administration; Faculty of Education Dean Alice Pitt and many others.

Left: Shoukri talks about the importance of the United Way Campaign

Prominent leaders and philanthropists Ed Clark and Seymour Schulich are this year’s United Way benefactors, and they have issued a special challenge to help the campaign reach its goal. “If you donate $1,000 to the United Way for the first time – which is about $80 a month – Ed Clark and Seymour Schulich will match it,” said Schulich School of Business Professor Pat Bradshaw, United Way leadership co-chair.

Right: From left, Douglas Peers, dean and associate vice-president graduate; Mamdouh Shoukri; Gary Brewer, vice-president finance & administration; and Jennifer Sloan, vice-president university relations

“If you’ve already donated $1,000 and you take your donation up to $1,200, they’ll match the increase in your donation,” added Bradshaw.

Joanne Duklas, United Way leadership co-chair, told the gathering, “I have no doubt that all the work the United Way does is helping our city’s most needy. It’s really important that we all get behind this year’s campaign and help us reach or exceed our $200,000 goal.”

Left: United Way Leadership Co-Chair Joanne Duklas

Bradshaw asked everyone to consider signing up for payroll deductions in November when the UW@work online giving program is launched and sent to staff via e-mail.

Munro added: “Take the $2 everyone gave at today’s pancake breakfast – if you pledged the same amount every week through payroll deduction, it would be enough to send a kid for a week of summer camp, after a year’s time.”

Right: Pat Bradshaw, a professor at York’s Schulich School of Business

Duklas, York’s associate vice-president enrolment management and University registrar, outlined just some of the ways United Way programs assist individuals and communities. They help young people stay focused in school and move on to post-secondary studies at places like York University, assist newcomers in getting settled in their new country and provide activities to help seniors stay active and healthy.

Adding to the fun of the morning was a friendly competition to see which unit or department could bring the greatest number of staff out to support the pancake breakfast. Munro reported that in the end, Campus Services & Business Operations had the top attendance, followed very closely by the Registrar’s Office.

For more information on York’s United Way Campaign or to volunteer, contact Munro at ext. 77529 or ymunro@yorku.ca.