York’s United Way Campaign nears the halfway point

Just three weeks into its campaign and York University is making great progress toward reaching its 2007 United Way Campaign goal of $190,000 and York’s campaign chair Sue Levesque couldn’t be happier.

 "So far, we’ve raised $78,000.00 in pledges and special events money," said Levesque. "Thank you to everyone. If you haven’t returned your pledge card, be sure to do so before Nov. 30 and you could win a great prize. Help York fill in the ‘Y’ and reach its campaign goal."

The goal for this year’s campaign is $190,000. Those who return their pledge cards before Nov. 30, the close of the official campaign timeline will be eligible for great prizes including: 

  • Tea and conversation with President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri and Leadership Co-Chairs Eileen Fischer, professor of marketing at the Schulich School of Business, and Naguib Gouda, executive director of Alumni & Advancement Services.
  • Two tickets to the Tennis Canada’s Rogers Cup semifinals
  • Tim Horton’s coffee maker and gift basket donated by Aramark
  • Sport York gift certificate for an instructional course of winner’s choice between Jan 17 and mid-March 2008
  • Lunch for two at The Underground restaurant donated by The Underground.

There are many more fun United Way events lined up for the remainder of the campaign, including the annual, and very popular, Cup-A-Soup week hosted by the Offices of the President, Vice-Presidents, University Secretary & General Counsel, Alumni & Advancement Services and the York University Foundation. Today is the last day to enjoy a fresh, hot cup of soup. The sale is on from 12 to 2pm in Central Square on the Keele campus. Buy a delicious cup of soup and roll for $3. Soup kindly donated by Petal Food (Michaelangelo’s).

Left: On Wednesday, Nov. 21, York President & Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri donned a red apron and along with staff from the President’s Office dished out soup to patrons of the United Way Cup-A-Soup sale

The elves in the Office of University Events and Community Relations created adorable holiday snow figures (check out Papa Frosty, Mama Frosty and Frosty Jr) which were available for sale on Wednesday, Nov. 21 in Central Square. Business was brisk and the fabulous Frostys were a hit. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to York’s United Way Campaign.

Right: The fabulous Frostys

On Nov. 28, the highly successful York University Clothing Swap for the United Way returns. Practise sustainable shopping while reducing and recycling.

Those interested in volunteering at the clothing swap should send an e-mail to uwswap@yorku.ca. For more information on this event, visit the York University Clothing Swap for the United Way Web site.

For more information, visit York University’s United Way Web page on the University Events & Community Relations Web site. Visit the United Way of Greater Toronto Web site to learn more about the campaign and the people who benefit from the organization.