United Way winner to guest coach Stanford game
Next Saturday when Arizona State hosts the Stanford Cardinal, ASU staffer James Sliwicki will be serving as guest coach. He will submit a diagram of the play he would like ASU to open up with against Stanford, Oct. 18, in Sun Devil Stadium.
How did he get this gig? By participating in the ASU United Way campaign.
Sliwicki's pledge to donate at or greater than $1,000 – a contribution of roughly $20 per week – entered him into a drawing, that he ended up winning. Sliwicki is just one member of the ASU community that is helping serve the needs of individuals and families across the Valley through the university's annual United Way campaign.
This year, ASU President Michael Crow is challenging faculty, staff, ASU retirees, emeriti and the ASU Foundation to achieve a combined goal of $700,000.
For the next chance at winning a United Way pledge prize, pledges must be received by Oct. 16. Prizes for the drawing include a signed football for donations at or greater than $100 ($1.93 per week) and two box tickets to the ASU versus Utah football game on Nov. 1 for donations at or greater than $1,000 ($19.24 per week). Winners will be drawn Oct. 17 and featured in the following week’s edition of ASU Insight.
There are two ways to donate:
Paper: Get the ASU United Way Pledge Form
Send to: ASU United Way, Attn: Katie Aguilar, Mail Code 1304
Online: ePledge
1. Use your ASURITE ID and password to sign in.
2. Once you log in, click "give" to complete your online donation.
ePledge donations must be made by Oct. 31.
James Nichols also was a winner this week, and received a signed basketball.
All who give to United Way will be offered tickets to a non-conference men's or women’s basketball game.
James Sliwicki
Q: What do you do at ASU?
A: I am the director of budget operations, part of ASU’s Office of Planning and Budget. I have been at ASU as student and as an employee for nearly 40 years.
Q: Why do you donate to United Way?
A: Because I believe in the work that the Valley of the Sun United Way agencies do. Through volunteering, I have seen firsthand how life-changing the work can be.
Q: What do you hope for United Way to accomplish?
A: I hope that the VSUW continues to accomplish its goals of ending hunger and homelessness, ensuring children and youth succeed and helping individuals and families increase their financial stability.
Q: What is something everyone should know about the United Way campaign?
A: That as much as the VSUW depends on our financial contributions, the VSUW agencies also need our time and energy. So try to visit the agencies you support financially, and see what they do and how your generosity is used.
Q: Do you have any special plans for guest coach passes?
A: My son’s birthday is next week and he will attend the game with me.
Q: What are you looking forward to at the game?
A: Watching the Maroon Monsoon take down the Cardinal!
Contact campaign coordinator Katie Aguilar at kathleen.aguilar@asu.edu or 2014 ASU United Way loaned executive Adam Brown at ahbrown1@asu.edu with any questions or ideas you may have.