Centraide 2015: there’s still time to give
“This campaign calls on our staff, faculty and students to come together to support our city’s charities.”
Concordia’s 41st annual Centraide Campaign ends next Thursday, December 3, which leaves only a few more days to make a donation, says Bram Freedman, vice-president of Development and External Relations and secretary-general, and chair of the campaign for the fifth year running.
Concordia’s effort is part of the larger Centraide of Greater Montreal campaign. The money raised is distributed among 362 community agencies that help support one in seven people in the region.
“Providing a helping hand to our community has always been an essential part of the character of this university and fits in nicely with Concordia’s Embrace the City strategic direction,” Freedman says. “This campaign calls on our staff, faculty and students to come together to support our city’s charities. If we all give even a modest amount, we can easily reach our goal of $190,000.”
A payroll deduction, made through the personalized link emailed to each member of the university’s staff and faculty, is the easiest way to support the campaign, Freedman adds.
You can also support the campaign by buying tickets for the raffle or the 50/50 draw. Prizes include a large-screen TV, a Nespresso coffee machine and a $500 gift certificate for Best Buy. Last year’s 50/50 winner took home $1,100.
New this year is an online auction for a lunch date with any of a large selection of the university’s top administrators and deans. Bidding starts at $25, and closes on Wednesday, December 2, at 11:45 a.m. The winning bid includes lunch with a maximum of two guests (plus the host).
Upcoming Centraide events
Every year, a number of get-togethers are held on campus to support the university campaign, including the famous pasta lunches.
Everyone is welcome to attend the campaign's final $12 pasta lunch, from 11.30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on November 27, in the atrium 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 atrium. 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.
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 songs. Last year’s inaugural Concordia’s Got Talent concert raised $2,000 for Centraide.
For a full schedule of events, and to find out more about how you can contribute, visit Concordia’s United Way/Centraide Campaign page.
Read about the history of Concordia’s Centraide Campaign.