Pauline Strong, Datta PillayPrize winner Pauline Strong accepts congratulations from Datta Pillay, co-chair of the campus campaign for United Way.

United Way campaign on track to meet fundraising goal

The campus campaign for United Way has reached more than $97,000 in donations and pledges and will likely reach its goal, co-chair Datta Pillay told supporters at a celebratory reception Thursday.

He noted that 367 UWindsor employees contributed this year, up from 321 last year, and that their average gift has reached $245. He expects the total will continue to rise as stragglers submit their pledge forms.

Lorraine Goddard, chief executive officer of United Way Windsor-Essex County, expressed appreciation for the university’s campaign team: “Those volunteers reach out to donors, share our message and garner support.”

She said the contributions from campus make a difference in the community.

“You know that the clearest pathway out of poverty is through education,” Goddard said. “Your dollars are going to help us make that a reality for children growing up in poverty.”

Pauline Strong of the law library won an extra vacation day in a draw for donors in attendance at the appreciation event. Other winners in the prize draw included:

  • Laurie Souilliere, iPad mini
  • Deborah Moore, a Garmin Vivofit fitness band
  • Victoria Paraschak, Sony wireless headphones
  • Marcia Vailente, JBL Flip portable wireless stereo speaker
  • Wendy Bedard, $100 gift card to Mezzo restaurant
  • William Crosby, Acer liquid Z320 cell phone
  • Hans Hansen, Acer Iconia One 7 tablet
  • Sandra Neposlan, a six-month campus parking pass
  • Mary Kuznik-Matos, one year’s membership in the Forge Fitness Centre
  • Brett Angell and Christine Cote, University Players three-play subscription 2016-2017 season
  • Nick Keren, Trevor Pittman, Erica Stevens Abbitt and Achla Dewan, two-ticket passes each to the School of Creative Arts music concert of their choice;
  • Kathryn Edmunds, $100 gift card to Piccolo’s restaurant
  • Darrell Strand and Jas Sohi, Cineplex movie package (admission, drinks and popcorn for 2 adults)
  • Rachelle Badour, an extra day’s vacation;
  • Mike Fisher, complimentary membership to the Costco warehouse club.

Provost Douglas Kneale praised the work of the organizing committee, especially this year’s sponsored employee Sara McNorton, who has spent the semester working with the United Way.