Thank you Concordia! Community Campaign raises $289,000
Well done Concordia! Thanks to the collective generosity of faculty, staff and retirees, the university’s 2012-13 Community Campaign raised an impressive $289,000 in support — surpassing last year’s efforts.
Themed “Our community, Our choice,” the internal appeal was championed by volunteers, and organized for the university by the Annual Giving unit of Advancement and Alumni Relations.
“Each gift helps us offer our students the best possible university experience,” says Derek Linetsky, development officer, Community Programs. “Every bit of support helps fund everything from student scholarships and bursaries to athletics and academic programs,”
Some 41 per cent of Concordia faculty and staff gave to the campaign. The figure is even more impressive given that Concordians raised an additional $185,000 for the 2012 Centraide Campaign.
“The Community Campaign reflects the dedication of Concordia’s faculty, staff and retirees to their university,” says Brad Skog, director of Annual Giving. “Our community’s collective generosity is inspiring. I take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who lent their support.”
The Community Campaign’s success is attributable in large part to volunteers who act as its ambassadors by raising awareness and funds for the university.
Some volunteers even lent their faces to the cause. A poster campaign across both campuses featured photos of Frances Shaver, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and Concordia Publications Manager Howard Bokser.
Individuals and departments offered other modes of support. A campus-wide bake sale, inspired by Archivist Emerita Nancy Marrelli, was organized by Nancy Curran in the spring.
Curran, an event coordinator at Hospitality Concordia, spent a whole day baking. She also sold sweets at bake-sale tables, as did many other dedicated Concordians.
“It makes me feel good to help students,” says Curran. “This is what Concordia’s all about. I find people at Concordia are very generous — if they can’t give financially, they’ll offer their time.”
Counselling and Development held their first-ever Community Campaign Estate Sale, with merchandise donated by staff, to raise funds.
“We wanted to hold an event that would create awareness of the Community Campaign and encourage donations. It was a fun way to bring staff together in a community-building activity,” says Marlene Gross, manager of Concordia’s Services for New Students and Student Success Centre and a member of the Community Campaign Advisory Committee.
To volunteer or get involved in the 2013-14 Community Campaign advisory committee, contact community@concordia.ca.
Related links:
• Concordia Community Campaign
• Giving to Concordia