ASU United Way campaign open through Jan. 31
At a time when the pandemic devastated communities across the state, Arizona State University’s long-standing partnership with Valley of the Sun United Way empowers Sun Devils to support one another through the "Mighty Change" employee giving campaign.
Open through Jan. 31, the campaign offers ASU faculty and staff a meaningful way to engage and give back to fellow Arizonans who may have experienced or are currently experiencing hunger and homelessness, causes that the United Way has championed since 1925. In addition, the organization works to ensure that all families and children throughout Maricopa County have equitable access to quality education, health care and career development.
To continue and honor that legacy of giving, this year’s ASU United Way campaign goal is to raise $700,000. Funds can be directed in a variety of ways, giving employees an option to support a 501(c)(3) organizations of their choice or to give back to fellow Sun Devils.
Dale Larsen, director of community relations and engagement within Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, says community and public service are values shared by all Sun Devils. For the past eight years, Larsen has chaired the ASU United Way campaign on behalf of Watts College.
“ASU’s support of United Way is a family supporting a family,” he says. “The fact that United Way represents so many agencies that are our partners, collaborators and friends — along with our college’s students, faculty and staff — speaks volumes of why the United Way campaign is integral to ASU.”
In addition to monetary donations, Larson says other ways to engage with the campaign include participating in events like “Giving-Grams” or other college-specific fundraisers.
The campaign's secondary goal is to garner 100% participation, which means employees can support the campaign without a monetary donation by completing an ePledge online. Larsen also recommends volunteering in any capacity with United Way during the campaign, or year-round, as it strengthens messaging and participation numbers.
“This year, I especially love the fact that our dean, Cynthia Lietz, is one of two honorary co-chairs for ASU United Way,” he says. “Having our dean author passionate and supportive communications to our faculty and staff members has served as an added strength to our campaign.”
Christine Wilkinson, senior vice president and secretary of the university, and president and CEO of the ASU Alumni Association, said contributing to the campaign in any way truly embodies what it means to be socially embedded and to drive real, positive change for the Sun Devil community.
“The ASU United Way campaign is the single comprehensive effort to reach and assist the communities in which we live, and is one of the central tenets of the charter,” Wilkinson says. “We are all part of those communities, and in contributing to the United Way, we are contributing to the health and well-being of neighbors, friends and our own families.”
Ways to contribute and participate
Give:
- Online ePledge: Use your ASURITE ID and password to sign in.
- Paper: Print and fill out the ASU United Way pledge form and return to: ASU United Way, Attn: Patty Rosciano, Mail Code: 1304
Volunteer:
- Check out volunteer opportunities in Phoenix.
Learn:
- Learn more about these programs in a series of community solution videos.