University Times

Pitt's 1995 United Way campaign will open on Oct. 18 with a goal of $450,000, an increase of approximately 6 percent over last year's total of $430,000.

Two other goals of this year's campaign are to boost participation from 42 percent last year to over 50 percent this year and to increase individual contributions by 5 percent over 1994.

Pitt's level of participation and contributions last year earned the University a silver medal award from United Way for its per capita level of contributions, more than $25 per participant.

"Another goal of the campaign is to have a great time doing it," said Michelle Garraux, communications coordinator for the campaign and director of University Graphics and Printing. "We want a real spirit of fun and involvement." To help foster that spirit and encourage participation in the campaign, a kick-off reception has been slated for Oct. 18 from 3-5 p.m. in the Masonic Temple.

The reception, which will replace the campaign's traditional kick-off breakfast, will feature appearances by the Pitt cheerleaders and the Pitt band, as well as food and prizes.

"Lots and lots of door prizes have been contributed by the community and by people from all over Pitt," said Garraux. "We've collected over 80 so far and we've just started. I would say that we will end up with well over 100 total prizes." Not all of the prizes will be given away during the kick-off reception, however. Like last year, there will be prize drawings to reward people who turn in their pledge cards, whether or not they make a contribution.

An early-bird drawing also will be conducted for all staff and faculty who turn in their pledge cards by Nov. 17. Pledge cards must be completed and returned by the end of December, according to Garraux.

"We're all really excited," she added. "We're hoping to make a difference. This is an important event for the community and for Pitt. As one of the largest employers in the area we want to show the community that we do want to give something back." Along with faculty and staff, students also will participate in the 1995 United Way campaign for the first time by conducting a number of fund-raising projects, according to Garraux.

For the first time, too, families of staff and faculty took part in last month's Pitt-United Way Day of Caring. A total of 315 people staff, faculty and their families did such things as paint the homes of low-income individuals, bag food at the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank and cut grapevines in Frick Park.

The total number of participants was the highest ever for the University. It was an increase of 100 individuals over 1994 and 235 over the 80 who took part in the Day of Caring in 1993.

Pitt-United Way campaign Chair John DeVitto, assistant vice chancellor for Business, said the increase is "significant" and he is hoping that the spirit evident in the Day of Caring turnout will carry over to the fund drive.

"I hope it is a sign of things to come," he said.

Garraux attributed the dramatic increase in participation in the Day of Caring to increased awareness of the program; the efforts of Steve Zupcic in the Center for Public and Community Service, and the inclusion in the program of friends and family of the faculty and staff. Along with DeVitto, Garraux and Zupcic, members of the Pitt-United Way campaign steering committee for 1995 include: Dennis Donham, Student Affairs; George Klinzing, Provost Area; Darlene Lewis, Human Resources; Joni Masquelier, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Human Resources; Philip Welling, Institutional Advancement; Ken Meszar, Computing and Information Services; Terence Milani, Center for Public and Community Service; Ronald Gigliotti, Special Events; Susan Selai, Staff Association Council; Dolores Vojta, Institutional Advancement; Mary Bonach, retiree; Marshall Case, Human Resources; Carrie Gillis, UPMC, Human Resources; Kerry Daley, Student Activities; Julie Crowell and Paul Dunn, students.

–Mike Sajna