Friday, December 14, 2012

Where do your Charitable Dollars go, Chittenden County?


Reprinted from the United Way of Chittenden County Blog 12/14/12

Where do your Charitable Dollars go, Chittenden County?
We all know that it takes money to make money; it also takes money to raisemoney. But just how much should it take? The Attorney General's report shows that "...over the past two years Vermonters donated $6,052,835 to charities through paid fundraisers. Of this donation total, paid fundraisers retained $4,156,112, while the charities that hired them collected $1,896,723. This means that an average of 68.66% of Vermonter’s donations were kept by the paid fundraiser. The charities, on the other hand, ultimately received less than a third (31.34%)."

The key phrase in this report is the phrase "paid fundraisers". The United Way of Chittenden County (UWCC) does not use third party or paid fundraisers. Instead, all of its funds are raised by people like you, volunteersAs our executive director, Martha Maksym reminds us, "We are very proud of our success...We attribute it to our exceptional volunteers." 

According to Stuart Comstock-Gay, president of the Vermont Community Foundation“The vast majority of nonprofits are using money very well, very efficiently. Very few Vermont charities use paid fundraisers. Most can’t afford them, more than anything else.” (quoted in Vermont Digger)

The United Way uses money very well indeed with 82-85% of funds going directly to pay for programs. UWCC donations support dozens of programs in the areas of education, income and health. And you don't have to choose which cause is worthier, our investments are based on community- determined priorities.

So when the season of giving overtakes you, succumb wisely and give to the United Way.

We all know that it takes money to make money; it also takes money to raisemoney. But just how much should it take? The Attorney General's report shows that "...over the past two years Vermonters donated $6,052,835 to charities through paid fundraisers. Of this donation total, paid fundraisers retained $4,156,112, while the charities that hired them collected $1,896,723. This means that an average of 68.66% of Vermonter’s donations were kept by the paid fundraiser. The charities, on the other hand, ultimately received less than a third (31.34%)."
The key phrase in this report is the phrase "paid fundraisers". The United Way of Chittenden County (UWCC) does not use third party or paid fundraisers. Instead, all of its funds are raised by people like you, volunteersAs our executive director, Martha Maksym reminds us, "We are very proud of our success...We attribute it to our exceptional volunteers." 

According to Stuart Comstock-Gay, president of the Vermont Community Foundation“The vast majority of nonprofits are using money very well, very efficiently. Very few Vermont charities use paid fundraisers. Most can’t afford them, more than anything else.” (quoted in Vermont Digger)

The United Way uses money very well indeed with 82-85% of funds going directly to pay for programs. UWCC donations support dozens of programs in the areas of education, income and health. And you don't have to choose which cause is worthier, our investments are based on community- determined priorities.

So when the season of giving overtakes you, succumb wisely and give to the United Way.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Mr. Smith Goes to the Movies


Movies at Main Street Landing
Please join United Way of Chittenden County
as we celebrate the 1st anniversary of the community film series at the Main Street Landing Film House. Doors open at 6:30 pm and shows start at 7 pm.  Admission is free and donations to United Way are greatly appreciated. 

ELECTION  DAY SPECIAL!
TUESDAY, NOV. 6TH
MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON
Mr Smith

Spend election day with the original Washington outsider!
James Stewart at his iconic best playing  Mr. Smith, an idealistic country boy who goes to Washington as a short-term senator. Disillusionment sets in slowly as he realizes the political games being played in the nation's Capitol. Watch as he fights to expose the corruption to the public.

MSL logo

Main Street Landing and United Way of Chittenden County are celebrating the one year anniversary of their partnership in the November offerings of the popular weekly movie series which brings great classic cinema to the Burlington area, while promoting the work of local nonprofits. The free series was launched by Main Street Landing last year as a way to provide community awareness and fundraising platform for nonprofits while offering the Burlington community free classic films presented on the big screen.

Thank you Melinda Moulton, Mariah Riggs and Main Street Landing for creating this fabulous community endeavor!

M&M cropped

Happy 1st Anniversary!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

And the winners are....

Earlier this week, Champlain College's Staff Council blood drive collected
more than 91 pints for the Red Cross - helping to make up for a shortage
caused by superstorm Sandy. 

Thanks to everyone who donated to the Champlain College Community Fund.
We raised $36,964 - Blowing past our goal 
of $35,000 by almost $2,000!
And our participation rate was 34 percent - one of the best in recent memory.

Everyone who made a pledge by 5 p.m. Oct. 31 was eligible for the final incentive prize drawing and the winners are:
  • A 2013 Spring all-zone parking pass (donated by Campus Security) Cinse Bonino 
  • A 25-meal plan at the Dining Hall (courtesy of Ted DeGrande of Sodexo) Ted Winokur
  • Framed Vermont Scenic Photo (donated by Stephen Mease) Susyn Dees
  • A $25 Champlain BookStore gift card (donated by The Bookstore) Lisa Mazzariello
  • A $25 Champlain BookStore gift card (donated by The Bookstore)  Susan Paquette
  • Keurig with K Cups (donated by Office Max) Don Haggerty
  • Champlain sweatshirt - John Pelletier
  • Pair of tickets to see Lyric Theatre Company’s RENT ( courtesy of Pat Boera of Career Services) - Angela Hyldburg
They join our early prize winners: 
  • THE iPAD -  Jean Marie Severance 
  • Kennedy Rocking Chair, (donated by Spruce Mortgage) Peter Straube 
  • A $200 Travel Voucher from Child’s Travel. Robert Marino

Winners will be contacted by Julie Richards by email to make arrangements for pick-up of your prizes. 

Learn more about the United Way and stay current with news at www.unitedwaycc.org



Monday, October 29, 2012

101 Donations and We Are Almost There!


The latest numbers are in this afternoon and we are thrilled to announce we have almost made our goal of $35,000 for the Champlain College Community Fund and United Way of Chittenden County.

101 donations brought
the campaign to 99%
of our goal!
As we wait and watch to see what Hurricane Sandy brings our way this evening, we have some wonderful news to celebrate.

Here are the numbers: 101 pledges for a total of $34,727 with a 29.2% participation rate!!

That means we are just a couple hundred dollars shy of the monetary goal and well over half the way to our participation goal of 50 percent. We can’t wait to see how much we can go over the top by Wednesday! 

Good news like this is especially important since we know that many of our friends, family, neighbors and Vermonters will be impacted by this storm and the needs will continue to grow for the many United Way agencies that provide programs to help those who need shelter, food, and a helping hand in the face of disaster.

In the days ahead, please remember that United Way 211 is a tremendous source of information about resources, help and services for those in need. It is a statewide clearinghouse and information hotline designed to help people in situations such as Tropical Storm Irene or Hurricane Sandy.

The winner of the $200 travel certificate, donated by Child Travel, is Robert Marino, interim dean of the Division of Information Technology & Sciences. Thank you for your support and generosity.

There are still a host of great prizes to be won in the next incentive drawing on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Your odds of winning are great. Still up for grabs – a 25-meal plan at Sodexo’s Dining Hall, an all-access parking pass for Spring and much, much more.


Every dollar counts and makes a difference. Just because we are so close to our goal is no reason not to act on your best intentions and make your gift to the Champlain College Community Fund. There is still time to help.  

Turn in your pledge cards by 5 p.m. on Wednesday to:
Julie C. Richards,  Academic & Student Services Advisor, Perry Hall, 322 or
drop them off with Human Resources at Lakeside Miller Center, Second Floor.

Send them through inter-office mail to Julie Richards, Box 322, Perry Hall.
                           
Thank you for your generous support that has brought us to 99 percent of our goal.

Need help - United Way's 211 a Good Place to Start


Vermont 2-1-1 (a program of the United Ways of Vermont)

Do you need help finding help?
Looking for help with everyday needs?
Are you facing difficult times and are not sure where to turn? 
Dialing 2-1-1 is your first step!  By dialing 2-1-1, information is much easier to find!  Vermont 2-1-1 is a simple number to dial for information about health and human service organizations in your community. 
Watch our television advertisement to find out all about us.
At Vermont 2-1-1, callers will speak with a real person every time.  Call Specialists can problem solve and/or refer callers to government programs, community-based organizations, support groups, and many other local resources.  Vermont 2-1-1 is:
  • A local call from anywhere in Vermont.
  • Confidential telephone assistance.
  • Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Live translation services for 170 languages.
  • Access for persons who have special needs.
  • Ability to transfer emergency calls to 9-1-1.
  • Accurate, updated information about community resources in Vermont.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Rainbow Connection and United Way

I hope you saw this wonderful rainbow over campus this past Saturday. Certainly a good sign leading to the announcement of our $10M gift to the College from the Stiller Family Foundation. And a good reminder to be generous with our time and treasure to make sure others in our community are able to enjoy the beauty all around us. 

Here’s your mid-week reminder about the 2012 Champlain College Community Campaign.
We are in the third week of the October campaign to raise $35,000 with a goal of a 50% staff and faculty participation rate.

The great news is that we have a fresh total to report and a very doable remainder to reach our goal.

·                    $31, 252 pledged toward our goal of $35,000 – 89% of the way to the goal!
·                    90 people for a 26% participation rate toward 50%.

The winner of the Kennedy Rocker, donated by Spruce Mortgage, is Program Director of  Hospitality & Restaurant Mgmt - Event Mgmt/Associate Prof. Peter Straube. Congratulations and thank you for your participation and pledge.

The next incentive raffle will be for all pledges received by Friday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m. for all pledges received.   

The Good News for everyone who is eligible i.e. turned in a completed pledge form – the prize list continues to grow.
New this week:
·                    A pair of tickets to see Lyric Theatre Company’s production of RENT thanks to Pat Boera of Career Services.
·                    A 25-meal plan at the Sodexo Dining Hall at Champlain College – courtesy of Ted DeGrande of Sodexo.
·                    A $200 Travel Voucher from Child’s Travel.


You can turn in your pledge cards  anytime with
Julie C. Richards,  Academic & Student Services Advisor, Perry Hall, 322 or
Drop them off with Human Resources at Lakeside Miller Center, Second Floor.
Send them through inter-office mail to Julie Richards, Box 322, Perry Hall.


ON CAMPUS SPEAKER THIS WEEK:
One of the 2012 Champlain College Community Campaign goals is to offer educational opportunities to the faculty, staff and our students related to the services we support through our annual United Way gifts.
There are 64 programs at 30 United Way member agencies which received funding this year, including  Spectrum Youth and Family Services, which directly works with teenagers and young adults. Spectrum has been recognized locally and nationally for best practices programs empowering teenagers and young adults through positive changes.  It received $45,000 this year through the United Way allocation process for counseling services.

Mark Redmond,  Executive Director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services, will be on campus for two, hour-long sessions to talk about how United Way contributions directly impact their organization and clients. 

Please join us for one or both of these gatherings THIS WEEK:

·         Oct. 25, Thursday – Miller Center at Lakeside 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
·         Oct. 26, Friday – Hauke Boardroom 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Bring your questions and learn more about Live United. Please encourage students to attend as well.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Learn About Spectrum Youth and Family Services


Dare to Learn More About How You Can Help the Community

One of the 2012 Champlain College Community Campaign goals is to offer educational opportunities to the faculty, staff and our students related to the services we support through our annual United Way gifts.

There are 64 programs at 30 United Way member agencies which received funding this year, including  Spectrum Youth and Family Services, which directly works with teenagers and young adults.
Spectrum has been recognized locally and nationally for best practices programs empowering teenagers and young adults through positive changes.  It received $45,000 this year through the United Way allocation process for counseling services.

Mark Redmond
Mark Redmond, (left),  Executive Director of Spectrum Youth & Family Services, will be on campus for two, hour-long sessions to talk about how United Way contributions directly impact their organization and clients. 

Please join us for one or both of these gatherings next week:

·         Oct. 25, Thursday – Miller Center at Lakeside 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
·         Oct. 26, Friday – Hauke Boardroom 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Bring your questions and learn more about Live United. Please encourage students to attend as well.

Champlain’s goal is to raise $35,000 to contribute toward United Way of Chittenden County’s 2012 Community Campaign goal of $3.85 million.

As of today, we are reporting
87 pledges for $31,252, or an average gift of about $359! That is 89% of the way to our goal of $35,000 at the end of the second week!

We will announce the winner of the Kennedy Rocker on Monday. Get your pledge cards in by 5 p.m. today to be eligible.

Cookies and cider will be provided.