“Do Something Big” by Participating in United Way Campaign

This year, Wesleyan employees can “do something big” by participating in the annual Middlesex United Way Campaign.

The campaign supports education, income, health and housing issues in Middlesex County through more than 30 agencies in the area. These include YMCA of Northern Middlesex County, Women and Families Center, Shoreline Soup, Oddfellows Playhouse Youth Theater, Middletown Adult Education, the John J. Driscoll United Labor Agency, Inc., Habitat for Humanity, MARC Community Resources, Community Health Center Mobile Dental Program and more. Last year, United Way helped Amazing Grace serve 10,986 hungry neighbors.

This year’s theme is “Do Something Big” and the Wesleyan Employee Campaign monetary goal is $120,000. The campaign co-chairs are Stacy Baldwin, construction project coordinator, and Dave Hall, grounds and events manager for Physical Plant – Facilities.

“If you have donated in the past, please consider stepping up in your donation. Just $1 more per week can really make a difference.” Baldwin said.

Wesleyan President Michael Roth said the campaign makes a great deal of difference for young people throughout Middlesex County. “Thanks to an effort led by United Way (working with schools, agencies, and local governments) there’s been a 25 percent reduction in substance abuse among teenagers in the county within the past few years,” Roth wrote in an all-campus e-mail on Oct. 26. “That number, noteworthy as it is, doesn’t begin to tell the story of young lives changed for the better – or describe the benefits we all experience when substance abuse and its attendant problems are lessened. Remarkable work like this depends upon our support.”

Employees can make a one-time donation or sign up for payroll deduction. Making a gift to a specific funding partner requires a minimum annual pledge of $52. Forms will be sent through campus mail.

“Middlesex United Way is a community effort,” Roth wrote. “The dollars used to help our neighbors in need come from us. From homelessness to health to family literacy, Middlesex United Way is addressing issues important to all of us.”