November 4, 2002

Though few may realize it, there are two elections this week. On Tuesday, voters visit the polls to elect the state and federal candidates for office whom they hope will lift the state and the country to new heights. And, throughout the week, UConn employees can elect to lift the Connecticut State Employees Charitable Campaign to new heights.

But whereas in the local and national elections, you can't be sure what you'll get, no matter who wins, by contributing to the state employee campaign, you can't go wrong.

As the official portion of the UConn-Storrs campaign comes to a close this week, it is within a whisker of reaching new levels in both the number of UConn employees participating in the campaign and in the amount of contributions that will be channeled to organizations that support the arts, the environment, and the needy; health and research-related organizations; and international programs.

The totals so far in Farmington are pretty healthy, too, says Joyce Borkowski, coordinator of the Health Center's campaign. By last Thursday, she said, 213 employees had contributed $60,238. Both numbers are on target to exceed last year's figures, she says.

In Storrs, time is running out for employees who wish to make the "A" list and be invited to Thursday afternoon's victory reception, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Alumni Center.

Contributors can finish their workday early, enjoy a variety of fine cheeses, breads, crab cakes, mini-sandwiches, and desserts, and be first on the block to know the campaign's closing tally.

Also during the event, a drawing will be held to award 10 of the campaign's top prizes, including two core parking spots, a beautiful hand-sewn, king-size quilt, two sets of President Austin's courtside women's basketball tickets, a basketball autographed by the 2002 NCAA Championship women's team, membership of the Fitness for Life program, a large bone-in holiday ham, lunch for six at any UConn dining hall, and a free night's stay at the Nathan Hale Inn.

Forty more great prizes will be awarded next week to other donors.