United Way campaign sees increase

Grand Valley’s United Way campaign saw a 6 percent increase in giving for 2012. Campaign results were announced at the President’s Thank You Breakfast in the Kirkhof Center November 29. Co-chairs Sue Sloop and Steven Lipnicki thanked the United Way captains for their hard work and leadership.

President Haas wore his Laker blue apron to cook pancakes for those in attendance. He thanked the United Way captains and committee members for their dedication and said the increase in giving is a reflection of the university’s commitment to meeting the needs of the surrounding communities.

The campaign report, to date, showed the following increases from last year’s campaign:
• 76.4% response rate (up from 69%);
• 1,318 employees gave (up from 1,195);
• 1,886 pledge forms were returned (up from 1,592);
• 53.4% participation of giving (up from 51.4%);
• $172,199.04 was raised, up from $161,540.94 in 2011.

Students, faculty and staff participated in Day of Caring and at least 80 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 donated 15 large boxes full of school supplies for local schools.