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WMU launches United Way drive with campuswide gala

Sept. 14, 2005

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University officially kicks off its 2005 United Way campaign with prizes, treats and special guests in the East Ballroom of the Bernhard Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20.

"We hope all of our faculty and staff will stop by during this fun event," says Lynn Kelly-Albertson, executive director of Career and Student Employee Services, who is chairing the 2005 WMU effort. "We hope to collect a large part of our $210,000 goal at the kickoff, and there will be a number of incentives for those who make their gifts or pledges at the event.

United Way volunteers in departments and offices across campus will distribute pledge cards the previous week. Those employees who turn in their completed pledge cards at the kickoff event will be entered in random drawings for valuable prizes, including tickets to Miller Auditorium and Bronco athletic events and a variety of gift certificates. Those who turn in their completed cards also will be eligible for smaller "instant prizes," handed out on the spot.

WMU President Judith I. Bailey will make brief remarks, and free ice cream novelties will be available to everyone attending. Bailey is serving as the community campaign chair for the Greater Kalamazoo United Way campaign, which recently announced a goal of $10.3 million.

Everyone attending will have an opportunity to speak with representatives from 29 of the 34 agencies supported by GKUW. Agencies sending representatives to meet with WMU faculty and staff include the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Center for Disability Services, Family and Children Services, Hispanic American Council, Ministry With Community, Pathways/MRC Industries, Salvation Army, Senior Services and YWCA, among many others.

Faculty and staff who cannot attend will be entered in the prize drawings if they send their completed pledge card with a colleague to the kickoff. Those who forget their card will be able to complete a blank card in the East Ballroom.

Sharon Van Dyken, academic advisor in the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, is assistant chair of the WMU effort for the United Way.

Questions can be sent to Lynn Kelly-Albertson at lynn.kelly-albertson@wmich.edu or to Sharon Van Dyken at sharon.vandyken@wmich.edu.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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