On Thursday morning, staff members gathered at President Doug Bennet’s house to kick-off the University’s annual United Way campaign. The goal is to raise $140,000 for the Middlesex United Way, $5000 more than the goal set last year.
“Wesleyan has developed into being the third largest donator to the United Way,” said John Biddiscombe, adjunct professor of physical education and director of athletics and chair of the physical education department. “We’ve become a major employer in the county, and we are responsible for making sure that Wesleyan operates in a healthy community and to make sure that people have the resources to support them. Not only do we have the responsibility, but the opportunity to give back to citizens.”
Biddiscombe served as President of the Middlesex United Way from 2003 to 2005, with his term just ending. He also chaired the University’s campaign for one year, and currently sits on Wesleyan’s United Way advisory board.
“The United Way is an agency that coordinates efforts both monetarily and through community effort, and that concept of giving to one group that can understand and analyze community needs is the most efficient and effective way for people to donate to local needs,” Biddiscombe said.
According to the United Way’s website, their Core Services supports the funding of 35 local programs and services in 25 different agencies, including the American Red Cross, Middlesex Family Hospital, Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters, Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, and the Salvation Army. Their Community Impact initiative addresses community issues regarding housing, mental health, and substance abuse programs.
The University’s fundraising efforts focus on the staff. Staff members are encouraged to donate either as a deduction from their payrolls or in the form of personal checks. There are two volunteer coordinators that set the fundraising goal, organize materials, send out letters and oversee each department’s coordinators.
“It’s something that I’ve been giving to regularly and feel strongly about,” said Chair and Professor of Economics Joyce Jacobsen, who is one of this year’s volunteer coordinators alongside Director of PIMMS Mike Zebarth. “The United Way is an efficient and effective way to give funds and help the community. Also, as in there is a low overhead, so as an economist, I like it.”
According to Jacobsen, a new addition to the program has been a raffle. Staff members who donate to the campaign will automatically be entered to win gift certificates to Broad Street Books, I.T.S. services, or to play on the squash courts.
Director of Community Relations Frank Kuan estimated that 45 percent of staff members donate to the United Way campaign. He also expressed that participation is completely optional and there is no pressure to do so.
“In this portion of [the campaign], it’s primarily financial contributions,” Kuan said. “For the community service side, other companies have done what they call a ‘Day of Caring.’ It happens during the first weekend that the University is in session, so traditionally we have not been active in that process. Our campaign is not so much project-oriented, but our money supports service projects.”
While the University welcomes donations from students, it understands that staff members are in a better position to donate.
“We realize that if it’s a strictly financial giving piece, it’s not easy for students,” Kuan said. “We’ve done other projects in the past, but we realize for faculty, it is easier. Students are always being pushed and pulled in other directions.”
The Wesleyan community has supported the United Way for more than 60 years. The current campaign ends Nov. 3.
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