Are you a faculty or staff member who wants to make a difference in the lives of people in Central New York? Consider contributing to the University’s annual employee giving campaign, an initiative supporting the vast impact United Way has in our community and empowering their work.

The employee giving campaign runs from Monday, Oct. 20, through Friday, Dec. 12. Celebrating 103 years of impact in the local community, the United Way of Central New York funds human service programs and projects at 35 nonprofit partners.

First-time campaign co-chair Terence Lau L’98, dean of the College of Law, draws his inspiration to serve from United Way-funded organizations themselves. “In neighborhoods across our community, families are struggling with challenges that no one should face alone—poverty, food insecurity, inadequate access to health care and education. The United Way doesn’t just write checks—it funds organizations that show up, day after day, to meet people where they are and help them build better lives.”

Join the Movement

University employees are encouraged to consider making a voluntary pledge through the United Way’s ePledge platform. Options are available for either a one-time donation or a recurring donation through payroll deduction each pay period. University retirees are also invited to participate as many enjoy the longstanding tradition and generous spirit of this annual event. For those who prefer, a paper pledge card may be obtained by contacting the University’s Office of Community Engagement at oceed@syr.edu or 315.443.4137.

Every dollar raised remains in Central New York to help the United Way address various community needs. Faculty and staff are encouraged to unite with their Orange colleagues to give hope to those with the greatest need in our community.

“The United Way makes a direct impact on people through supporting a variety of thoughtful initiatives and programs within our community. You will treasure the feeling when you know your dollar helped make a profound difference in someone’s life, perhaps even a family member or a friend in need,”  says Kirsten Elleby, deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator, who also serves as campaign co-chair.

Through the employee giving campaign, faculty and staff can give back to this initiative that supports and empowers the United Way to continue making a vast impact in our community.

“I challenge us to come together to make an impact and set records this year for the Syracuse University campaign—to not only reach our monetary goals, but more importantly the goals of making our community stronger, prouder and more united than ever before,” Elleby says.

In addition to the co-chairs, the annual campaign is led by a collection of team leaders from colleges and departments across campus who collaborate to promote the campaign and encourage their colleagues to participate. Many departments organize activities to raise additional funds to be donated to the campaign. Fundraising activities have included bake sales, raffles, contests and gift baskets.

“Seeing some of the creative ideas from our campus partners is one of the most rewarding parts of coordinating the campaign out of our office,” says Jake Losowski, associate director in the Office of Community Engagement. “Some groups get out in the community and volunteer directly with United Way-funded organizations, while other departments hold special events that serve a dual purpose of team building while raising funds for the campaign. There are options for every area of the campus to get involved in a way that makes sense for them.”

“This campaign touches so many different aspects of peoples’ lives,” says Kristin Jeter, access services librarian with Syracuse University Libraries, about the campaign’s community impact. “It’s how can we take these funds and find the most important or the most critical or the ideal place to help the community in the best way possible.”

No gift is too small and every dollar helps change lives. Together as One University, we can make a positive impact in our community through our collective support of the United Way of Central New York.