Helping those in need
Concordia’s annual Centraide campaign is under way, and the university’s students, staff and faculty are encouraged to get involved or make a donation. This year Concordia’s goal is $200,000 for the umbrella organization, which raises money to support community agencies across the city.
Last year, through personal donations, bake sales, spaghetti lunches, raffles and other efforts, the campaign raised $192,097, surpassing its goal of $185,000.
“We set our goal based on what we raised the previous year,” explains Enza De Cubellis, a member of the Centraide committee, and director of administration for the Office of the Vice-President, Institutional Relations and Secretary-General, which is managing the Concordia Centraide campaign.
The organizing committee is encouraging all staff, faculty and students to make a donation, large or small. “Donating online through the Centraide website is the easiest, quickest way,” says De Cubellis.
Centraide allows individuals to make a one-time or monthly donation through its website with a credit card. Individuals who work for the university can have a one-time or monthly donation deducted from their pay. Paper pledge forms are also available, but the campaign is trying to be paperless. “It falls in line with sustainability initiatives at Concordia,” De Cubellis says.
While many students may not be able to donate because they are on a tight budget, De Cubellis encourages them to get involved in the campaign in other ways, either by holding their own Centraide fundraisers, or volunteering at upcoming events. “If students are going to have a beer bash, for example, why not raise money for Centraide at the same time?” she asks.
The annual Centraide of Greater Montreal campaign relies on more than 23,000 volunteers. In 2010, the campaign raised $55.1 million, mostly from donors in the workplace. The lion’s share of the money raised (87 per cent) supports 360 agencies that provide services and programs to more than half a million people in Montreal, Laval and the South Shore.
There are 25 Concordia Centraide ambassadors working in the various departments on campus. Anyone who wishes to learn more about the campaign, to help out, or to make a donation is encouraged to contact the committee by email: centraide@concordia.ca. The ambassadors are also selling raffle tickets until November 17. Tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Prizes include two large-screen LCD TVs and an iPad2.
Popular pasta lunches are back!
One of the main events is the popular pasta lunch, held every year as part of the campaign. This year, there are three lunches, all on Thursdays: one on November 3 in the lobby of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex on the Sir George Williams Campus; a second one on November 10 in the Richard J. Renaud Science Complex on the Loyola Campus; and the third on November 17 in the lobby of the J.W. McConnell Library Building on the Sir George Williams Campus. All of the food is donated and the servers — students, staff and faculty — volunteer their time.
A portion of the proceeds from the upcoming 21st edition of the Campus Retail Stores (CRS) Book Fair will also support Concordia’s Centraide campaign. The fair is being held on November 9 and 10, in the atrium of the J.W. McConnell Library Building.
Concordia Centraide campaign events
What: Campus Retail Stores Book Sale
When: Wednesday, November 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday, November 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Atrium of the J.W. McConnell Library Building (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.)
What: Pasta lunch
When: November 3, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lobby of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (1515 Ste-Catherine St. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
What: Pasta lunch 2
When: Thursday, November 10, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Richard J. Renaud Science Complex on Loyola Campus (7141 Sherbrooke St. W.)
What: Pasta lunch 3
When: Thursday, November 17, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Lobby of the J.W. McConnell Library Building (1400 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
Related links:
• Concordia Centraide Campaign
• Centraide of Greater Montreal
• “Month-long Centraide appeal begins week of October 17” — NOW, October 18, 2011