Purdue United Way Campaign surpasses goal
November 16, 2012
Maryann
Santos de Barona, 2012 Purdue United Way chair and dean of the College of
Education, hands the chair's traveling trophy to vice chair Dale Whittaker, who
will be the 2013 Purdue UW chair, at Thursday's victory celebration. Whittaker
is vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs. (Purdue University
photo/Mark Simons) |
Purdue faculty, staff, retirees and students stepped up to the challenge of uniting and raising more than $745,000 for the United Way Campaign.
The campaign total of $762,043 was revealed at a victory celebration Thursday (Nov. 15). The campaign officially passed its goal of $745,000 on Nov. 13.
West Lafayette High School's Perfect Pitches choir group, directed by Hannah Lazarz, entertained more than 100 guests at the event, all members of Purdue's United Way campaign, during the celebration.
Maryann Santos de Barona, 2012 Purdue United Way chair and dean of the College of Education, led the celebration and expressed her gratitude to the campus community for their collaborative efforts.
"The Purdue community has such a great history of service and generosity," Santos de Barona said. "At a time when our neighbors need it most, through United Way and this campaign, we've extended a helping hand to enrich this community and keep it safe and strong."
Santos de Barona also shared highlights of the campaign, including another record-setting year by Purdue's vanguards (those who give $1,000 or more). This year Purdue has 40 new vanguards, and the total donations of all 300 vanguards reached nearly 50 percent of the total employee contributions.
Other highlights from the
campaign include:
* 15 of 19 Purdue areas met or surpassed their goals for 2012, and all others
raised more than 93 percent of their goal.
* Many departments held special events totaling nearly $11,00 in donations.
* Purdue retirees surpassed their $90,000 goal for 2012 by donating more than
$93,000 to the campaign.
Though the campaign tally is complete, contributions to United Way are welcome at any time.
Writer: Rachel Florman, rflorman@purdue.edu