Special events give Purdue United Way Campaign a boost
Group X instructors from the Division of Recreational Sports lead about 200 participants in Zumba during a United Way benefit Sept. 22 at the tennis courts on Vawter Field along Third Street. (Photo provided)
The Purdue United Way Campaign continues to gain momentum as departments campus-wide host special events.
Events such as the Party in PINK Zumba-Yogathon, bake sales, jeans days, chili cook-offs, and even massages continue to add a "dose of fun" to the already successful pledge card campaign. According to Anne Washburn, director of Purdue's United Way campaign, these events help raise awareness and contribute a significant amount toward Purdue's goal of $740,000.
On Sept. 22, the Division of Recreational Sports partnered with Victoria Secret PINK for the Zumba-Yogathon party, the first such party benefiting the United Way of Greater Lafayette.
The event, which was led by Recreational Sports Group X instructors, hosted approximately 200 Purdue faculty, staff and students. Following group instruction in Zumba and yoga, Victoria's Secret PINK hosted a dance-off and prize giveaway. Despite rainy weather, the event raised more than $1,000.
"During the Week of Caring, we had Purdue staff volunteer in seven individual projects to benefit the United Way agencies. The enthusiasm this year is the most I've seen, and is contagious," Washburn says. "These events help get students, faculty and staff excited about the United Way and by what the Purdue community can do to help. So far faculty, staff and students have raised about 58 percent of Purdue's goal and that we hope that everyone who contributed last year will again contribute. We'd like to have all the pledges in by Nov. 10."
Employees should have already received their United Way pledge cards. Those who need cards can print them at www.purdue.edu/unitedway. Cards can be returned to the team captains or sent via campus mail to Purdue United Way Gift Processing at Dauch Alumni Center (DAUC). Every person who returns a pledge card receives the 2011 Purdue United Way Campaign poster.
All information on pledge cards is confidential and not contingent on donation. Campaign volunteers do not see whether a donation has been made or the amount of donation. All donations will go to the 23 partner agencies that serve the communities of Lafayette and West Lafayette and many of the surrounding counties. Faculty and staff can designate their gifts to other counties or a particular United Way agency or agencies.
