September 28, 2004
Purdue United Way Campaign kick off
The Purdue United Way Campaign kicked off Sept. 15 at a breakfast celebrating commitment and early progress.
Alysa Rollock, 2004 Purdue UW campaign chair, told campus volunteers and others, "We always have a successful campaign because we are committed to our community."
Purdue's goal is $675,000 to go toward the United Way of Greater Lafayette community goal of $4.7 million.
Rollock said the local economy has begun to strengthen, but many people still hurt from joblessness, and the area has had flooding again this year.
"We share whether times are good or bad," she said.
President Martin Jischke also spoke, telling the assembly, "Our efforts will pay off many times over."
Jischke stressed the value to the giver of learning a life of service. He recalled the advice on serving others given by Dr. Karl Menninger, the famous psychiatrist, who said, "Love cures people, both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it."
At the end of the breakfast, senior and junior chairs in the 18 campaign areas on campus picked up pledge packets for distribution to team captains, then to each employee. Any employee at the West Lafayette campus who has not received a packet may call the Purdue United Way office at 49-63603.
Rollock said Purdue's campaign has made a solid start thanks to Pacesetters and Vanguards.
Pacesetters, who make donations early to create momentum for the campaign, include the Purdue University Retirees Association. Rollock said PURA members had pledged $58,518 by the kickoff, up 13 percent from the 2003 kickoff.
Vanguards give at least $1,000, and their gifts cover - and then some - the administrative costs of the campaign, so that others' gifts can go 100 percent to the 25 area UW agencies. Rollock said Purdue had 110 confirmed Vanguards before the campaign officially opened.
In all, she said, the Purdue campaign had in hand $215,694 at its kickoff, nearly one-third of the goal.
"These exemplary donations show the power of commitment and the path to success," Rollock said later.
Rollock told the breakfast gathering a story about going to her grandmother's house and seeing unexpected visitors drop by. A meal planned for five would have to satisfy 15 or 20. Her grandmother would say, "Let me see if I can stretch this" and turn a roast into a casserole.
A commitment to caring embodies the campaign theme of "Magic of the Heart," she said, but stretching resources is done with skill and work in the kitchen and in the community.
In addition to money donations, Rollock said, Purdue shows commitment and work in special events for UW, including:
-- The student campaign's 9-11
T-shirt sale led by Purdue Student Government, which sold more than 7,500 shirts.
-- Extreme bowling on Oct. 14, 4-6 p.m. For $7, two games of bowling, shoes, pizza and a soft drink; or an hour of billiards play. Prizes to be awarded.
-- Volksgard golf on Oct. 12, first tee times at 2 p.m. Nine-hole, four-player scramble, with cart, plus dinner, all for $35. For dinner only, $10. At Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex. Register by Oct. 8 with Dave Jones at 494-7407 or Heather Owen at 494-8909.
-- Baby Shower gift collection for Community Health Clinic on Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Purdue police office. New or gently used items. Coordinated by Physical Facilities; for information, call Sherry Hardebeck at 494-5693 or Rachel DeRudder at 494-7968.
Anne Washburn, Purdue United Way director, reminded volunteers of prize drawings for all employees returning pledge forms by Oct. 1, and a separate drawing for team captains who have all pledge forms returned by then.
"We hope people will put their minds on the community and respond promptly, making their team captains eligible for prizes," she said later.
All who return pledge forms can receive the 2004 Purdue UW poster, which shows a Purdue Mall snow scene.
In addition, the first 5,000 to make pledges will receive magnets showing the poster in miniature. That will be handled by the gift processing office so as to maintain confidentiality.
Officials of the community UW campaign attended the kickoff and were introduced. Also speaking at the breakfast were Dennis Savaiano, dean of the School of Consumer and Family Sciences and chair of this year's community UW campaign, and George Hynd, dean of the School of Education and Purdue UW campaign vice chair.
Washburn notes that Purdue Research Foundation provided funds for the cost of the kickoff breakfast, as it does for other promotional aspects of the Purdue UW campaign. Pledges are not used for such occasions or for prizes.
For more on campus UW special events as well as campaign reports go online..
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