Dear Colleague,

United Starts With U is the theme of Purdue's 2009 United Way campaign. Whether you volunteer at one of the 23 local United Way partner agencies, or give to this year's campaign, we appreciate your contribution to this worthy cause.

You may ask, "When I give to United Way, where do my dollars go?"

We know you are being very careful about where you spend your money during these economically challenging times, and we want you to know that when you choose to give to the United Way, your charity dollars are going far.

For example: Your dollars help a baby born with developmental challenges, a senior who can no longer drive or prepare meals, and a family that is struggling to find affordable housing. Our United Way agencies are helping children grow up healthy, learn to read, and stay in school. They are providing medical care, independence, and dignity to senior citizens, and serving people who are sick, suffering, or recovering from disasters and trauma. Tippecanoe County residents just like this were helped last year by local programs supported by the United Way of Greater Lafayette.

As you can clearly see, United Way is an investment in people and families, even your own. Please give what you can this year to help United Way so that United Way may then help our neighbors, our friends, and our community.

Dennis Depew
Dean, College of Technology
2009 Purdue United Way Chair