Barely one week into the 1997 State Employees Campaign for Charitable Giving, dozens of campaign volunteers have fanned out across campus seeking colleagues willing to help people and causes across the globe, and nearly 100 UConn employees have already signed up to make contributions through payroll deduction.

"We're just getting started, but the response has been heartening," said Bill Barrett, director of administrative and logistical services and campaign coordinator for the UConn Cares - Embrace a Life, portion of the state-wide campaign.

There are hundreds of organizations, statewide - national and international - that people can designate for their contributions. Donations can be as little as $1, or as much as people can afford. Contributions can be made in lump sums or by payroll deduction. The campaign goal for UConn this year is $100,000.

Barrett will update the campus community on the totals during a mid-point luncheon on October 16, beginning at 11:30 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom. The luncheon will be fashioned as a 1950s event, with prizes for the best 1950s-style outfit. Also during the luncheon, drawings will be held for some of the nearly two dozens incentives that have been contributed to the campaign.

Incentives include gift certificates donated by area eateries and UCPEA; tickets to three subscriptions series donated by Jorgensen Auditorium; and a pizza party for the department with the highest percentage of givers.

Further drawings for incentives will be held during closing ceremonies October 30.

During the campaign kick-off October 1, the first incentive winners were announced: Patsy Evans, from the plant science department, won the day's top prize, a free membership in the Fitness for Life Program; Antonio Macato, a student, and Frances Graham, a staffer in the UConn Foundation, each won $25 gift certificates, courtesy of the UConn Co-op.

Barrett says other incentive contributions are still being accepted.

Richard Veilleux