Approximately 220 of the Univer-sity’s United Way campaign volunteers enjoyed a pot pie luncheon as part of the formal beginning of the month-long campaign last week.
The U-M United Way campaign, with a goal of $1 million, will be piloted by Maureen A. Hartford, vice president for student affairs, and assisted by Lisa B. Baker, associate vice president for university relations.
“We have a long history of giving to the United Way,” Hartford told her audience. “There is an opportunity for students here to come into the University and to give service. Part of their education is to give back to the community.”
Hartford said she was excited about the amount of student involvement in this year’s campaign. Bea M. Gonzales, LS&A senior, will serve as regional chair for the student section of the campaign, bringing the total of regional chairs to eight. Although students have participated in past campaigns, this is the first year for a student regional chair.
Washtenaw United Way Director Vincent Buccirosso praised the Univer-sity community for its involvement in the campaign, and said that the U-M has helped to make up much of the money that was lost recently when local industry relocated.
“All of this came during the greatest need in history for this area,” Bucci-rosso said. “We need to do all we can to raise the necessary funds to help those who are in need.”
Although the University’s campaign is only a week old, $30,298 has been received.
