2008 McMaster United Way Campaign Committee

The 2008 McMaster United Way Campaign raised $221,750 with over $46,249 coming in January, the last month of the campaign.

As a member of the McMaster United Way Committee, I was really concerned about whether we would achieve our goal of $210,000. 

With the economy in a free fall over the holidays and the whispers of large layoffs in the New Year, many in the city were looking to campaigns like ours to make up the difference.

So, we doubled our efforts with phone calls, a poster campaign and use of the new electronic parking signs to get out the message that we needed your support. 

Boy did McMaster staff and faculty answer!  By February 2nd we had raised $216,870 and we decided that it was safe to do the end of campaign photo.  Staff and Faculty had other ideas and another $4,880 was donated.  So, our campaign photo is not quite accurate.

On behalf of those who volunteer their time and effort to this campaign, I would like to express our deep appreciation for your generous support.

Your donations make a real difference in the lives of thousands of men, women and children in the Burlington and Hamilton communities. 

Just to give you one example, I visited the Eva Roswell Resource Centre where your donations have been used to create a positive and safe place for children who live in the poorest community of Hamilton. 

According to Mission Services, over one quarter of the 5,000 residences are single mothers.

On my visit, I watched kids play in a safe and welcoming environment where they had access to books, toys and supervision.  The centre has incredible community support for people who have almost nothing.  There are no banks, no grocery stores, no bus service or many other things that you would normally associate with a neighborhood community.

What kind of future would these kids have without your support?  This is just one example of how your generous donations are being used to make a real difference to those is need. On behalf of the committee, I wish to say thank you for caring. It is because of people like you that the United Way is able to complete its important work.

Thursday, October 30, 2008 – The Golden Key Society pack the car event.  Students will be encouraged to donate food for United Way agencies in the communities of Hamilton and Burlington.

Friday, October 31, 2008 – the MSU Pumpkin Hike.  The event starts at 6:30 pm and last until 8:00 pm.  For more information, please contact the McMaster Student Union.

Friday, October 31, 2008 – the DeGroote Bake Sale.  This annual event for the McMaster United Way is held during the lunch hours in the Michael DeGroote School of Business lobby.

Phil Wood, Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs; President Peter George; Provest Ilene Busch-Vishniac.

Faculty Day at Ron Joyce Stadium

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 – Students prepare to hear the results of the first Drive Hunger Away campaign.  The food will be given to United Way agencies and the MSU Breadbin Food Bank.

Bryana Melink is the president of the McMaster Field Hockey team and a 4th year student in Kinsiology. Alex Encutu is the club

Helping the Community is just what they do

The McMaster Field Hockey Team is more than just about sports, it’s about helping the community. “Most of the girls on the team feel very fortunate to be here (at McMaster University)” states Bryana Melink, team president.   For the past two years, the Field Hockey team has volunteered at Living Rock Ministries, a United Way supported agency that helps kids living on the streets.  “We brought our sticks and show them a thing or two about hockey…it was fun” said Alex Encutu, the team’s vice-president. 

According to Alex, the team soon realized that “the kids who live on the street don’t have clothes to play sports” and as a result “they don’t have the ability to play organized sports.” So “we did a clothing drive for Living Rock.” 

“We volunteer together because we are doing it as a team.  We like to get out there.” states Bryana.

Bryana and Alex credited there community efforts to Jeanette Eby, who serves as the team’s unofficial community outreach person. “Alot of this is because of Jeanette who works her butt off.”

%%%%

Jeanette Eby, Yolisa Nongauza and Brooke Camplin

Dedicated to Helping the Community

The McMaster Poverty Initiative consists of faculty, students and staff dedicated to using knowledge for social change.

%%%%

Christine Ibrahim, the Golden Key Society

Golden Key Society

The Golden Key Society (GKS) is an internationally recognized academic honour society dedicated to excellence.  According to Christine Ibrahim, recording secretary for the club, membership is by invitation only to those students in the top 15% of the faculties.  In addition to providing scholarships and networking opportunities, “we do alot of volunteer and social events, stated Christine. Last year, GKS organized a very successful food drive for Living Rock Ministries as part of its efforts to support the McMaster United Way campaign.

%%%%