October 7, 2002

More than 50 volunteer coordinators for the Connecticut State Employees Charitable Campaign last week began distributing packets of information and donor cards to UConn employees, as the annual event officially began.

Contributors should fill out the donor cards included in the packets, then place them back in the manila envelope they received earlier. All the envelopes are addressed to the University Events office, so all donors need do is cross their name off the envelope and return them to their volunteer coordinator or drop them in internal mail.

Prizes to be awarded to contributors during a Nov. 7 drawing and reception continue to pour in, says Richard Veilleux, assistant manager of media communications, who is chair of the UConn Campaign.

"Not only do UConn employees who contribute to the campaign receive the joy of helping great organizations, they also earn a chance to win one of these wonderful prizes," he says.

The prizes include: two core parking spots for a year, one for a volunteer coordinator, one for a contributor; a king-size quilt created by Ann Denny, director of transportation; two $50 gift certificates to the Altnaveigh Inn, donated by UCPEA; two pairs of tickets to a UConn women's basketball game, donated by President Philip Austin; and a basketball autographed by 2002 NCAA women's championship team. Also, lunch for two at the Nutmeg Grille; free memberships to the Fitness Club, donated by UConn's Fitness for Life Program; certificates for a breakfast for two at The Dam Skillet in Mansfield Center; gift certificates from Angellino's Restaurant in Mansfield; a $50 gift certificate for dinner at the Blue Oak Café in the Nathan Hale Inn; a free one-night stay at the Nathan Hale Inn; a gift certificate for a smoked, bone-in holiday ham, donated by Kirklyn Kerr, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; three gift certificates for ice cream cakes donated by the UConn Dairy Bar; a $25 gift certificate from the New York Pizza Co. on Route 44; two certificates, each good for lunch for six at any UConn dining hall, donated by Dining Services; three certificates, each good for lunch for two, donated by Subway; free calzones from D.P. Dough, Storrs; coupons for a large, one-topping pizza, donated by Domino's Pizza; two gift certificates, each worth $25 off at Willington Pizza; and a $25 gift certificate, donated by Ted's Spirit Shop.

Other prizes are: a free oil change and fluid check, donated by Storrs Automotive; two large baskets of assorted UConn memorabilia, donated by the UConn Co-op; five gift certificates, each worth two seats at a choice of performances at Jorgensen Auditorium; two bottles of fine wine donated by Mansfield Spirit Shop, Mansfield Center; a signed copy of The University of Connecticut, a pictorial history, donated by the UConn Co-op books division; gift certificates from Dunkin' Donuts; a $25 gift certificate for purchases at Big Y, Mansfield; and two tailgate food baskets donated by Highland Park Grocery Store.

Veilleux says there are more to come. But, he cautions, only contributors to the campaign are eligible for the drawing.

The charitable campaign runs through Oct. 31.