University Times

It was by a whisker, but both Pitt's United Way campaign and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania surpassed their 1995 fund-raising goals.

Pitt collected $415,922 during the campaign that ended on Feb. 8. The total reflects an increase of $1,263 over last year's campaign, which netted $414,659, according to figures supplied by the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Earlier reports had set last year's total at $425,819. However, according to Institutional Advancement, that figure contained over $10,000 that University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) employees had contributed to Pitt's campaign. But the $10,000 was transferred back to UPMC for matching gift purposes, thus reducing Pitt's 1994 total to $414,659.

"It really doesn't matter whether it is UPMC or Pitt, it is still Pitt people giving the money," said Michelle Garraux, communications coordinator for the campaign and director of University Graphics and Printing. "It's just kind of fun when you are trying to beat a total to know that you did." The United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania's total of more than $35.8 million was an increase of almost $36,000 over 1994. The total marks only the second time in 10 years that the charity has reached its goal. In 1993, the United Way raised about $398,000 more than its $35 million goal.

Pitt's long-term efforts for the United Way were given special recognition during the charity's annual luncheon on Feb. 14, when campaign chair John DeVitto, associate vice chancellor for Business, and campaign manager Phil Welling, from the Office of Institutional Advancement, accepted on behalf of the University the first annual Westinghouse Spirit of Giving Award.

The Westinghouse Electric Corp., the campaign's single largest contributor, commissioned the award to stimulate responses to community needs through the United Way. Pitt was presented with the first award for its "motivational and inspirational behavior and its true spirit of giving back to the community." The award carries with it a $200 cash prize that will be donated to the United Way charity of Pitt's choice. Pitt has not decided which charity will receive the money, but Garraux said it probably will go to a University-related United Way program.

Allegheny General Hospital and the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, 171st Air Refueling Wing were runners up for the Westinghouse Award.

Given special recognition during the award presentation were Pitt's Day of Caring and Volunteer Pool programs. Approximately 315 University employees and their families took part in this year's Day of Caring. Pitt volunteers served with the Program for Female Offenders, the Salvation Army, the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Partners in Parks and the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in McKeesport, among other agencies.

Volunteers painted a Salvation Army facility in Braddock, restored eroded trails in Frick Park, distributed HIV prevention kits in public housing projects and packed pasta for distribution to the hungry of the region.

"While the Center for Public and Community Service coordinates the service activities, all of us here realize that it is dedicated staff, faculty and student volunteers from throughout the University who have earned this award," said Steve Zupic, director of the center and Day of Caring coordinator. "We would like to thank everybody for their efforts throughout the year." Zupcic added that the Volunteer Pool is planning to expand its work and noted that the next Day of Caring will be Sept. 11.

According to Zupcic, enthusiasm for the Day of Caring has grown to the point that several people already have contacted the Center for Public and Community Service with suggestions on social service agencies in their communities that would benefit from a visit by Pitt volunteers. He said the center wants to pass the 400 volunteer mark in 1996.

–Mike Sajna