October 29, 2009

WMU United Way campaign

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Dear Friends,

With only a few days left in Western Michigan University’s 2009 United Way campaign, we are making excellent progress, but still are about 15 percent shy of our $240,000 goal.

By now, every faculty member, staff employee and retiree of WMU should have received a donation packet. For those of you who’ve already given, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to you for recognizing the importance of the health and human services supported by the Greater Kalamazoo United Way. For those who might not have received a packet, but are interested in contributing to this year's campaign, please e-mail wmu-united-way@wmich.edu and materials will be sent to you.

At no time in recent history has the need been greater in our area. Human care services supported through United Way help not only the sick, disadvantaged and physically disabled, but also those individuals and families who face unexpected problems or require professional help to meet basic human needs. Anyone who has visited one of our United Way agencies can see this help firsthand. Every pledge, no matter the amount, is working to provide essential health and human services to those citizens of our community who need them most.

My thanks go to all of you who decided to reach out to Kalamazoo-area neighbors, friends or family members who are experiencing hardship. Western Michigan University cares deeply about the welfare of its community. Since Linda and I first came to the area, I’ve said there is no better place in which to live, learn and work, than right here in Kalamazoo. Let’s put power behind those words. Let’s demonstrate, to ourselves and others, that this is a community that pulls together for better or worse to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

Most sincerely,

President John M. Dunn