ASU's Polytechnic campus kicks off United Way campaign

August 29, 2002

It's one of the rituals of autumn: returning students, football games, cooler evenings and ASU's annual United Way Campaign, which runs from late August through the month of September.<separator></separator> ASU's Polytechnic campus's faculty, staff and students have been enthusiastic and generous participants since the campus began operations in 1996. Compared with the overall ASU participation rate of approximately 30 percent last year, 77 percent of ASU's Polytechnic campus's employees participated in the 2001-02 campaign, and excitement is already building among the campus's 2002-03 committee, which set a goal of $41,000 for this year's effort.<separator></separator> Continued growth in the Phoenix metro area together with a slower economy has put further strains on the ability of all government and non-profit agencies to meet the health and human services needs of the community, according to Wilma Mathews, ASU's United Way Campaign Coordinator.<separator></separator>"Participation by ASU employees at whatever level is comfortable for them demonstrates the university's commitment to working toward a safe and healthy community for all of its citizens," Mathews said.<separator></separator> The ASU's Polytechnic campus campaign will kick off with a "free lunch" in the Campus Union ballroom on August 29, from noon to 1 pm. All ASU faculty and staff will receive a pledge form and informative brochures from Valley of the Sun United Way and Mesa United Way via campus mail during the first week of September. Donors may designate their gifts to the Valley of the Sun United Way or to Mesa United Way, to priority areas such as Valley of the Sun's Investing in Youth, Caring for the Elderly or Mesa United Way's Ready to Learn, or to individual United Way agencies or other non-profit health and human service organizations. Gifts can be made by check, credit card or through payroll deduction.<separator></separator> Nan Beams, ASU's Polytechnic campus's 2002 Campaign Manager, believes the campus will rise to the challenge.<separator></separator> "I hope every ASU's Polytechnic campus employee will give thoughtful consideration to the United Way materials when they arrive," Beams said, "and return the pledge forms to their unit representatives, even if they choose not to give this year. If we all do a little, together we can accomplish a great deal."