United Way giving increases

Grand Valley’s United Way campaign saw an increase in giving for 2011. Campaign results were announced at the President’s Thank You Breakfast in the Kirkhof Center November 16. Co-chairs Sue Sloop and Steven Lipnicki thanked the United Way captains for their hard work and leadership.

The campaign report, to date, showed the following:
• 51.4 percent of employees gave a financial gift this year;
• 70.3 percent of employees returned a United Way pledge form;
• 3 percent increase in dollars collected: $161,540.94, up from $156,611 in 2010.

President Haas emphasized the value of the collaborative spirit that is alive in West Michigan and how private/public partnerships increase quality of life. “Grand Valley’s partnership with United Way is a way of fulfilling one of our obligations to the community,” said Haas. “I appreciate the effort at Grand Valley because people give because they want to, not because they have to.”

Faculty and staff members participating in Day of Caring volunteered 84 hours to the community and reading mentors participated in Schools of Hope, an in-school reading tutor program that pairs at-risk students with volunteers. During the Stuff the Bus campaign, students, faculty and staff members literally stuffed a bus with school supplies for local schools and Grand Valley students donated more than $378 for supplies.