University Times

Pitt's 1997 United Way campaign kicked off Oct. 15 and will continue through Nov. 26. This year's goal is $442,000. Last year, the University collected just over $421,000.

"Once again, with the 1998 campaign, the University of Pittsburgh is proud to support United Way's efforts in reaching out to our neighbors in need," said Michelle Garraux, communications coordinator for the campaign and director of University Graphics and Printing.

Garraux said campaign organizers are excited because Pitt students are joining the campaign in a "big way" with a 5-K race and other fundraising events.

As the Day of Caring did last month, Pitt's 1998 United Way campaign will focus on contributing to programs that serve the surrounding community.

"We feel particularly strongly about helping our closest neighbors," Garraux said. "We realize that by doing so, Pitt is helping to make its surroundings a better place to live, work and study." Participants can make an unrestricted gift to the United Way, direct all or a portion of their donation into five different general categories or to a specific United Way affiliated group, including more than 20 groups at Pitt and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The five general categories to which gifts can be directed are: nurturing children and youth, strengthening families, supporting older people, promoting health and healing, and increasing self-sufficiency.

Pitt/United Way programs and their codes include: after school care, 3222; breast cancer research, 830; Child Development Center, 1280; children's neurosurgery project, 4645; Cleft-palate Craniofacial Center, 234; Department of Neurology-Epilepsy, 4645; Duchenne Gene Therapy Center, 9623; Eugene N. Myers Chair in Otolaryngology, 888946; Eye and Ear Institute, 2593; retinitis pigmentosa research, 990; Eye and Ear Institute Ambulatory Service Corp., 4387; Generations Together, 574; Hand-in-Hand Festival, 1241; Jannetta Research Fund, 3943; Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, 2331; Pittsburgh Cancer Institute Blair Crawford Program, 4231; Right Start, 1475; Schwentker Endowment in Urologic Surgery, 9239; scleroderma research, 4492; Sotereanos Endowment for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 9138; speech and hearing, 1228; Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute, 9537; School of Medicine, 2305; UPMC, 4722, and UPMC Clinical Social Work Special Purpose program, 9203.

Of the gifts given by Pitt employees last year, 73 percent went to a specific agency, 22 percent to services related to children, families, health, wellness and senior citizens. The remaining 5 percent of the gifts were undesignated.

Agencies receiving the highest number of gifts from Pitt employees last year were: Women's Center and Shelter, 108; Catholic Charities, 63; Pitt's Child Development Center, 60; Salvation Army, 55; Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, 43; Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, 28; Planned Parenthood, 27; Holy Family Institute, 22; Persad and American Red Cross, 20 each; Arthritis Foundation, Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and Boy Scouts, 19 each; United Jewish Federation, 17; Beginning With Books, 16, and Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and Make-A-Wish, 13 each.

In addition to Garraux, members of the 1997 United Way campaign steering committee include: Janice Minnich, Business; Dennis Donham, Student Affairs; George Klinzing, Provost Area; Diane Moore, medicine; Tracey Rechter, UPMC Human Resources; Sue Steele, Institutional Advancement; Linda Ed, Institutional Advancement; Ken Meszar, Computing and Information Services; Steve Zupcic, Center for Public and Community Service; Glenora Rossell, retirees; Alan Boggs, unions; Ron Gigliotti, Special Events; Kerry Daley, Student Activities, and Ross White and Krya Harmanos, students.

As usual, the campaign includes an extensive prize program. Participants who return their pledge cards, whether or not they make a donation to the campaign, automatically are registered to win one of more than 100 prizes.

–Mike Sajna