NDSU’s 2010 United Way “Live United” campaign began Oct. 18, with a goal of $128,000. According to Char Goodyear, campus campaign coordinator and assistant to the vice president for university relations, that figure represents a 5 percent increase from last year.
“I really urge people to consider making a pledge because the campaign helps so many people,” Goodyear said. “Last year, more than 140,000 men, women and children in Cass and Clay counties were impacted by United Way-funded agencies and programs.”
Among the people receiving assistance was the family of Shelley St. Aubin, special project technician for the NDSU Libraries. Her family is featured in the 2010 campaign video as her husband, Dennis, discusses how the Prescription Assistance Program helps with the cost of insulin for his diabetes.
“I don't think a lot of people realize what a range of programs that the United Way helps to fund,” St. Aubin said, noting there are 57 agencies and programs funded by the organization. “My main point is we are just a regular middle-class family – your co-worker, your neighbor, your friend, your classmate. We are just regular people whose lives were impacted in a very positive way by the availability of a program that helps my husband to stay healthy, and allows us to afford his medication without having to work three or four jobs. It is a simple program with far-reaching benefits to our family and others like us.”
According to Goodyear, more than 85 cents of every contributed dollar go to local agencies and more than 99 cents stay in our community. She said a contribution of $1 per week provides a week of food and nourishment for a victim of a disaster and 20 hours of companionship for a senior citizen. A gift of $5 per week gives five homeless women an education program to expand their skills and job readiness and provides 10 students with a backpack and the supplies they need to go to school.
The United Way again will focus on e-pledging. Faculty and staff will receive information later this month about this important United Way effort to go green and help the environment.
The goal for the total United Way of Cass-Clay 2010 community campaign is $5 million. For more information about United Way, visit www.unitedwaycassclay.org. Information about the NDSU campaign is available at www.ndsu.edu/president/united_way_campaign.