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.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Pumpkin King, Movies and New Totals!

Thanks to Almir Salkic for this pumpkin version of the Champlain College logo. His pumpkin raised the most money in the change jar competition at the Human Resources Benefit Fair in Argosy Gym today. 


Film
Main Street Landing Film Series to Benefit United Way in November
For the second year in a row, the Tuesday night free film series at Main Street Landing will support United Way for the entire month of November. The series kicks off with Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, appropriately on Election Night!  On the following three Tuesday evenings in November, the audience will be treated to: The Red Shoes; The Wizard of Oz; and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.  All shows start at 7 p.m. So mark you calendars and plan to join the fun, while supporting the United Way Community Campaign. 

And happy to report the latest numbers on our campaign.

 As of 5 p.m. Thursday: 
85 pledges for $29,012 for an average gift of about $340!
And we are now at our 25% participation goal. Looks like we need another 85 pledges to hit the 50% participation goal for 2012. 

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Visit Us at the Benefits Fair


Champlainers, here’s your mid-week reminder about the 2012 Champlain College Community Campaign.
We are in the second 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!
·         $25,417 pledged toward our goal of $35,000 – 72% of the way to the goal!
·         80 people for a 23.1% participation rate toward 50%.

In case you didn’t check the http://champlainunitedway.blogspot.com/ this week, the winner of the Apple iPad was Jean Marie Severance of the EHS office. Congratulations and thank you for your participation and pledge.

The next incentive raffle will be Friday, Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. for all pledges received.   

The Kennedy Rocker, donated by Spruce Mortgage Inc.

You can turn your pledge cards into
Julie C. Richards,  Academic & Student Services Advisor, Perry Hall, 322 or
Drop them off with Human Resources at Lakeside Miller Center, Second Floor.

Don’t forget to visit the United Way table at the Human Resources & Organizational Development Fair:

Oct. 18, 11a.m.–2p.m., IDX Student Life Center.
Pledge cards, information about United Way and Volunteer Opportunities will be available.
ALSO: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Bring your carved or painted pumpkin between 9:30-11 a.m.
Place loose change into collection jars to vote for the winner at the Benefits Fair.
Prizes for best department/division and best individual pumpkin!
The proceeds will go toward the Champlain Community Campaign!

And save the date for the Staff Council “Starve a Vampire” Blood Drive on
Tuesday Oct. 30 in Hauke Conference Room 102, 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Volunteers are still needed to help, contact Jenn Perlee, perlee@champlain.edu,  865-6453 if you would like to help. 

Monday, October 15, 2012

i-Pad Winner and Great Opening Week



Thanks to everyone who turned in their pledge cards by Friday afternoon  - we have received pledges of $22,642 from 73 people. One of our best starts ever to the Champlain College Community Fund.


  • The 73 pledges represent a 21 percent participation rate - our goal is 50 percent. 
  • The $22,642 pledged represents nearly 65 percent toward our goal of raising $35,000. 


And I am happy to announce that the first winner in our incentive raffle goes to Jean Marie Severance, operations manager in the Division of Education & Human Studies.

Check out our prizes page to see what else you can win by turning in your completed pledge card to Julie Richards in Perry Hall or at the Lakeside Miller Center Human Resources department.



Friday, October 12, 2012

Campaign Kickoff

Martha Maksym of United Way of Chittenden County. 
Martha Maksym, Executive Director of the United Way of Chittenden County spent a few minutes today at the Champlain College Town Hall talking about the community connections and importance of supporting United Way's work in the areas of Health, Education and Income.

Maksym's visit marked the official kick-off to the Champlain College Community Campaign 2012 that runs through October 31 on campus.  
To get things rolling, the Campaign offered an incentive to everyone who turned in their completed pledge cards by 5 p.m. a chance to win a new I-Pad. And the early number seem to support the effectiveness of the plan. 

We are happy to report that as of 5 p.m. Friday, we had 67 pledges in, totalling $21,902 toward our goal of $35,000. Participation was at 19.4 percent toward our goal of 50 percent. 

To those of you who have so generously given, our hearty thanks. To those of you still to give, we encourage you to turn your pledge in early, there are many more great incentive prizes that will be given away between now and Halloween. the earlier you turn in your pledge, the more chances to win.
We will announce the winner on Monday afternoon.  


Friday, September 28, 2012

Champlain Campaign to Run Oct. 9-31



Champlain’s “Let Us Dare to Help”
Community Campaign 2012 Begins 
Annual fundraising effort to support United Way of Chittenden County and Community Programs

The 2012 Champlain College Campaign will begin Tuesday, Oct. 9 and will get its official kick-off at the all-staff and faculty College Town Meeting on Friday. Oct. 12 at 8:15 a.m.  The College has set an ambitious goal of raising $35,000 with a participation rate of 50 percent in conjunction with the United Way of Chittenden County’s annual Community Fund Campaign.
  
Mascot Chauncey T. Beaver and Stephen Mease, public information and news director, are back for a third year co-chairing the Champlain College Community Campaign for one simple reason, they said, “We are confident that our fellow Champlainers will step up and help us achieve these goals. It is critical to helping serve those in need, especially in the areas of education, financial independence and healthy living.

Pledge packets and information will be available online for download, at Lakeside's Humna Resources offices and at Perry Hall 350 in the Public Relations office. “We will also have them available Friday morning at Alumni Auditorium at Town Meeting. Everyone who turns in a completed pledge form by 5 p.m. that day will be eligible for the drawing to win one of our top prizes,” he said.


This year’s theme is “Let Us Dare to Help Our Community,” playing off the College’s official motto: Adeamus – Let Us Dare.

Last year, donations through the campaign raised nearly $30,000 with a participation rate of 41 percent. “We missed meeting our goal of $35,000 and 53% participation last year, but I think that was due to in part to all the fundraising efforts and concerns that followed the devastation of many communities by tropical storm Irene in Vermont,” Mease said. “We also are planning to make a greater effort to help educate folks about how the money is used and important work it enables with children, families, seniors and others.”

The overall 2012 United Way of Chittenden County campaign has set a goal of $3.85 million this year to provide vital funding to programs to organizations like the Committee on Temporary Shelter, King Street Center, Boys and Girls Club, the DREAM program, Visiting Nurse Association and Women Helping Battered Women, to name just a few.

A committee of staff and faculty are currently working on the final details of the Champlain Campaign, which will run from Oct. 9-31. As in year’s past, there will be special incentive raffles for those who make a pledge to the campaign. Prizes in the past have included an Apple I-Pad, an all access parking pass for Spring, ski passes, gift certificates, travel vouchers and more. Serving on the committee this year are:  Mary M. Lee, John Pelletier, Sarah Potter, Debra Dayman, Julie Richards, Melissa Hersh and Shelley Richardson.

“We know that Champlain faculty, staff and students daily step forward to demonstrate their giving spirit. It happens at campus blood drives; taking a pie in the face to help DREAM mentoring; sleeping out on Aiken Lawn during Tent City’s homeless awareness campaign in November, or volunteering countless hours to help children, the elderly and those in greatest need in Vermont. Making a financial contribution through payroll deduction or a one-time gift is another tangible way to help those in need,” Mease added.


Can’t make Friday’s Town Hall meeting? Download the pledge form from the blog and send it in to Julie Richards Box #11 or drop off at Perry Hall room 322 or with Debra Dayman at Lakeside Campus in the Human Resources Department. Be sure to keep a copy of the form for your tax records.

Again this year, we ask you to consider making your gift through payroll deduction. It’s the easiest way to give a little more than you might if you just wrote one check.  Pledges made during the fall campaign will begin in January 2013. Remember, you also have the option to designate your gift to the United Way Community Care Fund, a specific impact area, another United Way in Vermont, or a specific United Way agency.

·         Visit www.unitedway to learn more about specific programs and initiatives.
·         Visit http://champlainunitedway.blogspot.com/ for news about Champlain’s Campaign.

“Each and every gift, large or small, makes a real difference to those in need. A successful Champlain Campaign is an outward sign to the community that we care. Thank you for your participation and generous support!” Mease said.

Questions? Contact Steve Mease at smease@champlain.edu or call 865-6432.