A toasty new tradition pushes United Way donations higher

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.