U-M United Way campaign encourages community to give back

The annual U-M United Way campaign will begin Oct. 1, with a goal of raising $1.3 million.

With a long-standing tradition of giving others a financial assist, the U-M community is encouraged to lead the way with donations that enable and empower individuals to overcome a variety of challenges. All donations — no matter the amount — support the people, resources and organizations who help to create a thriving community for everyone.

The campaign co-chairs — Cynthia H. Wilbanks, vice president of government relations, and T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the U-M Health System — encourage their colleagues to lend support for the community with a pledge to the campaign by Dec. 31.

“The U-M United Way campaign offers the campuswide community the opportunity to give back and support programs and services for our neighbors in need,” Wilbanks said. “When we come together as a community, we make a difference.”

Every pledge can be designated to a nonprofit of choice or given to the Community Investment Fund, which invests in programs and services that have demonstrated success in addressing the most pressing needs across the area.

“I highly encourage our team of faculty, staff and learners to reach out to the campaign, make a pledge and lead the way,” Denton said. “Our collective efforts can be powerful with beneficial and lasting effects on so many people and families.”

Making a pledge can be accomplished either through the ePledge system on Wolverine Access, or a pledge form is available on the U-M United Way website.

Contributors to the campaign will be automatically entered into a prize drawing. A list of prizes is available at the U-M United Way site.

Those who give $1,000 or more become members of the Leadership Givers Association and will receive an invitation to an annual reception hosted by President Mark Schlissel.