SFU’s United Way Campaign gets underway

Simon Fraser University’s United Way Campaign – a Fall tradition – gets underway this week, and I urge everyone to pitch in and show what our commitment to community engagement is all about.

Each year, SFU partners with United Way Lower Mainland in this signature campaign to raise much-needed funds for programs and services to help children, families and seniors living in poverty. This year’s theme is Local Love – focusing on the importance of people taking action in their local communities.

A great example of how United Way makes a positive difference is SFU’s Friends of Simon program. With United Way’s support, the program recruits and prepares university students to serve as literacy tutors in Lower Mainland schools, offering mentorship and assistance to newcomer school students. The program has been successful, both in increasing the educational success rate of students in the K-12 system, and in providing valuable skills development opportunities for students at SFU.  

SFU’s fundraising goal this year is $120,000, and with your help I am confident that we can reach it.

There are some fun and easy ways for you to contribute:

• The ever-popular Faculty Smackdown Debate: Burnaby November 13;
• Book Sales: Burnaby Campus November 19-21; Vancouver November 20; Surrey November 20;
• Bake Sales: Burnaby November 19; Vancouver November 20;
• Market on the Mezz: Surrey November 20

And you can visit www.sfu.ca/unitedway to find other ways to get involved.

Thank you for your support. Whether as a donor, volunteer or fundraiser, your participation will help to build and strengthen our communities.