UTM kicks off annual United Way fundraising drive
U of T Mississauga’s annual United Way campaign launched this week with a fall-themed reception in the Faculty Club. On hand to launch the 2015 fundraiser were Ulli Krull, acting vice-president and principal; Department of Chemical and Physical Sciences executive assistant Donna Coulson; and UTM campaign co-chairs Luke Barber and Anthony Wensley.
Funds raised help the United Way of Peel Region deliver much-needed programs with partner agencies, neighbourhood development grants, social and youth programs and more.
“What happens to children in our community is a reflection of the students that will come to our campus in time,” said Krull. “The health of our community is predicated on what we do for our children. Being able to flourish in a stable environment will be fundamentally important to the students we see later in life.”
“When we change the nature of opportunity for our children, we change the nature of opportunity for our entire society,” he said, noting that he has been a supporter of the United Way since he was a teen. “The United Way helps agencies that nurture children to bring them to their full potential.”
Donna Coulson spoke about the impact that program has had for the ‘Little Sisters’ she has mentored through the United Way-funded program Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel. “When I began volunteering in 2002, I had no idea of the impact that agency could have,” she said. With help from the United Way-funded staff at the organization, Coulson successfully mentored her first ‘Little” match through significant socio-economic challenges, self esteem issues and an eating disorder to become a post-secondary graduate and police officer.
“Without the funds Big Brothers Big Sisters receives from the United Way, those resources would be extremely limited. They wouldn’t have the funding for the case workers and program coordinators, and they wouldn’t be there to give confidence to mentors like me. I’ve seen the positive results and I have no doubt of the difference the United Way makes to our community.”
“She now has a desire to give back—she is a Big Sister,” Coulson said. “That speaks volumes about the impact this program has for the children and youth that it serves.”
“Think of when you drop a little stone in the water, that ripple effect,” Coulson said. “Together, our donations become a huge boulder that can cause a tidal wave of good in our communities. We’re contributing to poverty reduction and becoming an integral part of life-changing work in our community.”
Last year, UTM raised over $62,000 towards the United Way total. The UTM team hopes to surpass last year’s total by the time the donation drive ends in December.
- Tarot Card Readings by Devin Kreuger (by appointment until end of term)
- Campus Safety Day BBQ (Wednesday, October 14)
- Campus Police Lost & Found sale (Wednesday, October 21)
- Greenhouse Plant Sale (Thursday, October 22)
- UTM Bowlathon (Tuesday, November 24)
- Halloween Costume Contest (Friday, October 30)
- UTM Library Book Sale (Tuesday and Wednesday, November 24 and 25)
- Stay tuned for dates for the Yogathon and the annual Turkey Dinner