Concordia’s 2015 Centraide campaign begins

This week, Concordia joins 1,600 other companies, unions and organizations in the massive annual city-wide campaign to raise money for Centraide of Greater Montreal. The university’s fundraising goal is $190,000.

The money raised is distributed by the umbrella charity to more than 350 local agencies that help people overcome poverty and exclusion.

“Concordia has a long history of community outreach, and the Centraide campaign has been a huge part of that,” says Bram Freedman, vice-president of Development and External Relations and secretary-general, whose office heads up the campus initiative. “Thanks to the incredible generosity of our students, staff and faculty, we’ve been among the strongest supporters year after year.”

How you can do your part

There are many ways to contribute from now until December 3. For staff and faculty, the easiest way to give is by making a donation via payroll deduction. A contribution of $8 per biweekly pay period actually costs you only $5.35 and generates an annual donation of $208. You can also make a one-time gift via Concordia’s secure page.

Raffle ticket prizes include a large-screen TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a $500 gift certificate for Best Buy. Or enter the campaign’s 50/50 draw — last year’s winner took home $1,100.

Lunch with the administration

A new addition to this year’s month-long fundraiser is an online auction for a lunch date with any of a large selection of the university’s top administrators and deans. Faculty deans, university president Alan Shepard, chairman of the Board of Governors Norman Hébert Jr., and university librarian Guylaine Beaudry are among the people on the list. Bidding starts at $25. The winning bid includes lunch with a maximum of two guests (plus the host).

“This is an opportunity for someone at the university, or from the community, to meet with either Alan or a member of his team in an informal setting for a nice meal, for a good cause,” Freedman says.

Volunteer

Another way you can help out the campaign is by volunteering as an ambassador. “We're always looking for more people to help us sell tickets, put up posters and spread the word,” says Andrea Renaud, project coordinator in the Office of the Vice-President of Development and External Relations and Secretary-General. “We want as many people as possible taking part, in order to make it a real community effort.”

You can sign up as an ambassador via the Centraide website, or by sending an email to: unitedway@concordia.ca.

Feasting for charity

Everyone on campus is welcome to attend the campaign's two $12 pasta lunches, from 11.30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on November 10 at the Loyola Jesuit Hall and Conference Centre on the Loyola Campus, and at the same time on November 27 in the lobby of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex (EV). Concordia’s Food Services will be creating vegetarian and meat sauces for the occasion.

Free coffee and cake will be served at the campaign’s closing event on Friday, December 3, from 4 until 5 p.m. in the EV lobby. Winners of the raffle and the 50/50 draw will be chosen at the event. You’ll also be able to buy last-minute tickets on site.

Music for a cause

For the second year in a row, there will be a special concert held in the D.B. Clarke Theatre on December 16 at 12.10 p.m., featuring staff and student musicians performing an eclectic mix of music. Last year, Concordia’s Got Talent concert raised $2,000 for Centraide.

Off to the races

Although this week signals the official launch of the campaign on campus, the team of volunteers got started early, organizing a samosa sale on Wednesday, October 21, in the lobby of the EV Building. The event raised $1,000.

For a full schedule of events, and to find out more about how you can contribute, visit Concordia’s United Way/Centraide Campaign page.