Purdue United Way Campaign surpasses goal
November 20, 2014
 |
|
Purdue volunteers reveal the Purdue United Way Campaign total of $773,906 at a victory celebration on Wednesday (Nov. 19) at Dauch Alumni Center. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
Purdue faculty, staff, retirees and students accepted the challenge of meeting the 2014 Purdue United Way goal by raising more than $755,000 for the campaign.
Volunteers and community leaders of the United Way campaign gathered Wednesday (Nov. 19) at Dauch Alumni Center to celebrate raising $773,906, or 102.5 percent of the $755,000 goal. This is a record amount for Purdue’s campaign.
Leah Jamieson, chair of the 2014 Purdue United Way Campaign and the John A. Edwardson Dean of Engineering, welcomed team members and thanked them for their dedication to the important projects United Way supports. Jamieson shared gratitude to Purdue’s Greek organizations, which donated both dollars and food to help the community this year. She also mentioned President Mitch Daniels' initiative, “Casual Days for United Way,” in which more than 300 people raised a total of $1,870.
“Purdue employees, students and retirees are making this community a better place for all,” she said. “The generous donations you help raise allow United Way to fund many educational programs. These help our children learn, help adults continue their education, and help many find better jobs. This community’s success begins with United Way programs such as Read to Succeed and VITA (Volunteer Tax Assistance program), which help many people. Purdue employees and retirees give in both dollars and volunteer hours. We are proud of our very generous co-workers.”
 |
|
Leah Jamieson, chair of the 2014 Purdue United Way Campaign, stands with Julie Griffith, vice chair of the Purdue campaign, before handing off the chair's traveling trophy at the victory celebration. Griffith will be the 2015 Purdue UW chair. (Purdue University photo/Mark Simons) |
Jamieson and Julie Griffith, vice chair of the Purdue campaign and vice president for public affairs, also shared highlights of this year’s campaign, including another record-setting year by Purdue’s Vanguard donors (those who give $1,000 or more). This year, Purdue added 41 new Vanguard givers, and the total donations of the more than 300 Vanguard donors provided more than 50 percent of the total employee contributions. The special offer from Purdue Convocations added $3,000 to the campaign, and the “Where’s Jamie?” contest brought some social media fun.
Additional records were made this year:
* Seventeen Purdue areas met or surpassed their goal for 2014.
* Money from special events and donations from other sources totaled more than $16,000.
* Purdue retirees surpassed their $95,000 goal by donating more than $120,000 to the campaign.
Griffith, who will become chair of the Purdue campaign in 2015, said of next year’s task: “Leah has raised the bar for next year’s campaign, but with the amazing generosity shown here at Purdue, no goal is insurmountable. I look forward to the challenge.”
Though the campaign tally is complete, contributions to the United Way are welcome at any time. Donations may be made via credit card or PayPal by visiting www.uwlafayette.org/givenow-purdue.html.
