United Way campaign reaches 108 percent of goal

By Ranchithaa Anatory
Western Herald

The month-long United Way campaign proved to be a huge success. Western Michigan University President John M. Dunn announced during the victory celebration on Thursday, Nov. 13 that WMU’s target of $240,000 was surpassed to a total of $260,000 raised thus far.

“We are at 108 percent of the goal and we’re proud of that,” Dunn said. “We have set a new record for next year.”

During his speech, Dunn also announced that of the total raised, $219,875.71 was contributed by employees and $39,626 was given by retirees. Special events, such as t-shirt sales by students, have raised $526.03 to date, bringing the exact grand total to $260,027.74.

Dunn acknowledged the Disabled Student Resources and Services, Internal Audit, Logistical Services, Office of the President, Office of University Budgets, Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, Power Plant, and the School of Public Affairs and Administration for having 100 percent participation in the campaign.

There was a lucky draw during the event for contributors who raised their contribution by $50 this year. A Valentine’s Day weekend stay at The Oaklands, WMU’s guest house, lunch with Dunn, and tickets to shows at Miller Auditorium were some of the prizes which were given away.

Among those present during the victory celebration was chairperson for the WMU United Way Campaign, Robert Beam, who retired from WMU in 2007 but came back to chair the campaign this year. Beam is also a board member at the United Way.

However, Beam has officially called this his final year at WMU chairing the campaign, and will be replaced by Joseph Reish, dean of Libraries, WMU.

Also present at the event was CEO and President of the Greater United Way, Mike Larson, who received the mock check for the grand total from Dunn.

“There has always been a need, but there’s more in our face now than ever before,” Larson said.

Short URL: http://www.westernherald.com/?p=11859

Posted by HeraldAdmin on Nov 13 2009. Filed under Breaking, News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

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