For the sixth year in a row, Eastern Michigan University's
goal for its United Way campaign is to increase campus
participation.
Last year, 33.5 percent of the campus participated. This
year's participation goal is 40 percent, said Mary Jo Desprez,
a co-chair of EMU's United Way campaign.
 |
HEALTHY CHOICES: Eastern
Michigan University
employees
have approximately 40 United
Way agencies
and/or affiliates
to which they can choose to
donate. The University's
United
Way campaign runs through
Dec. 8. |
In addition, Desprez and the other co-chairs, Jessica "Decky" Alexander
and Dennis Stolte, would like EMU raise at least $120,000
in donations and have 33 Leadership Givers (there were
35 last year). Last year's campaign raised $122,267, slightly
less than the $126,193 raised in 2004.
The American Red Cross is one of the more recognizable
United Way agencies in Washtenaw County. However, there
are many more organizations that merit consideration during
the campaign, as this year's co-chairs can attest.
"I have typically spread out my donation to organizations
that are near and dear to my heart," said Desprez, associate
director, University Health Services. "This year, I am
selecting Hope Clinic, the Ecology Center, Dawn Farm and
Help Source. These organizations do the type of outreach
that I would do if I had more time. I see my donation as
a way to extend hours in my day, and days in my week. I
cannot volunteer for each of these organizations, but I
can make sure that my donations demonstrate that I value
the significant role they play in our community."
"I have donated to Food Gatherers for many years," said
Stolte, director, project management, ICT. "Its purpose
is to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in our
community by reducing food waste through the rescue and
distribution of perishable and non-perishable food; coordinating
with other hunger relief providers; educating the public
about hunger; and developing new food resources."
The primary distributor of food in Washtenaw County, Food
Gatherers gleans surplus food from more than 300 sources
such as restaurants, food retailers, food wholesalers and
dormitories like EMU's Dining Services. By providing
food to more than 150 community programs, it supplies enough
food for more than 5,500 meals a day, mostly for families
in need of food, Stolte said.
 |
Alexander |
Ozone House has a special place in Alexander's heart.
As faculty adviser for EMU's Poetry Society, Alexander
said the group once received a grant to provide a recording
studio at Ozone House. Poetry Society members and members
of Ozone's Project Speakout collaborated on spoken word
and performance poetry.
"The grant is long gone, but the relationships between
the EMU students and the Ozone community still exist and
thrives today," said Alexander, associate professor of
communication and theatre arts. "This past summer, Ozone
House opened a new facility on Hamilton Street, where it
continues to provide an oasis of sorts for young people
from middle school age and up to seek counseling, academic
assistance, artistic opportunities, safety and solace."
Washtenaw United Way agencies include: Alzheimer's Association,
Michigan Great Lakes Chapter; American Red Cross, Washtenaw
County Chapter; Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living,
Ann Arbor Community Center, Ann Arbor YMCA, Catholic Social
Services of Washtenaw County, Community Action Network,
Community Dental Center, The Corner Health Center, Dawn
Farm, Food Gatherers, Girl Scouts of the Huron Valley Council,
HelpSource, Hemophilia Foundation of Michigan, Hope Clinic,
Housing Bureau for Seniors, Huron Valley Boys and Girls
Club, Ypsilanti Student Literacy Corps, Michigan Ability
Partners, Michigan Visiting Nurses, Motor Meals of Ann
Arbor, Myasthenia Gravis Association, Neighborhood Senior
Services, Ozone House, Parents Together, Peace Neighborhood
Center, Perry Nursery School, SafeHouse Center, The Salvation
Army of Washtenaw County, Shelter Association of Washtenaw
County, SOS Community Services, Student Advocacy Center,
Washtenaw Association for Community Advocacy, Washtenaw
Camp Placement and Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels.
United Way community affiliates include: The Dexter Area
Service Association, Faith in Action, Milan Community Council,
Aid in Milan, The Saline Area Resource Center and Saline
Area Social Service, Inc.
"Donating to the United Way Campaign is an opportunity
to say 'thank you' to the organizations that provide our
blanket of support to individuals and families who are
in need," Desprez said. "Our local community is experiencing
extreme hardship in our current economic climate. Those
in our community that are the most in need are finding
it harder to get necessary resources to get back on their
feet."
"You can choose to donate to the community fund that directs
donations to identified needs or you can select individual
organizations that mean something to you," Desprez continued. "This
campaign gives us an opportunity to come together to help
make a direct impact on the struggles in our community.
That type of giving just makes you feel good!"
Eastern Michigan University's United Way campaign continues
through Dec. 8. Please talk to your unit representative
for more information about all of the organizations or
visit the Web site at www.wuway.org.
