Tough times don’t discourage giving spirit
Susanne Vlcek, 778.782.5094, Susanne_vlcek@sfu.ca
Leigh McGregor, 778.782.5332, leighm@sfu.ca
Carol Thorbes, PAMR, 778.782.3505
The worldwide economic downturn is emptying many wallets but that didn’t stop two Simon Fraser University employees from getting their colleagues to open up their wallets wider for the United Way in 2008.
On the 25th anniversary of SFU’s United Way campaign, its 2008 co-chairs Leigh McGregor and Susanne Vlcek motivated staff and faculty to part with $162,133. That is the largest amount ever collected from SFU staff and faculty, surpassing the 2007 collection of $152,576.
McGregor and Vlcek, both North Shore residents, say SFU’s in-house generosity helped the university surpass its annual goal of raising $180,000 from a variety of sources. The total raised in 2008 was $180,156. The 2007 total was $167,237.
McGregor, an undergraduate advisor, and Vlcek, an administrative assistant, say the more than 100 volunteers who worked with them on this year’s campaign deserve the real kudos.
“Staff and faculty donations to this campaign have been increasing every year for the last seven year,” says McGregor. “But we couldn’t have surpassed our annual goal without all the volunteers personally distributing pledge forms, speaking to colleagues, answering questions and coordinating events.”
Adds Vlcek, “Many staff are concerned about the economy, but they understand that it is vitally important during difficult economic times to continue to support those in need.”
Vlcek’s and McGregor’s successors will begin work on the 2009 campaign in February.
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Cathy Mutis
Way to go Leigh and Susanne!!