November 12, 2002

Faculty and staff at UConn's Storrs campus set new standards of giving during the 2002 Connecticut State Employees Charitable Campaign, Richard Veilleux, Storrs campus campaign chair, announced last Thursday, during a closing reception for this year's campaign. And, says Joyce Borkowski, chair of the campaign for the UConn Health Center, records have been set in Farmington as well.

"Not only have UConn employees donated more to the campaign than ever before, but more contributed than ever before - by a solid margin," Veilleux said.

As of Thursday, Veilleux said 632 UConn employees had contributed to the campaign - a 28 percent increase compared to last year. And those 632 people, he said, have contributed a record amount of $121,697 to charitable organizations, the first time the campaign at Storrs has exceeded $120,000, and 10 percent more than in 2001.

At the Health Center, Borkowski said she had received pledges from 238 employees, contributing $67,266, up from 212 participants and $62,860 last year. And at the UConn School of Law, another $7,000 has been raised, Veilleux said. Reports have yet to be compiled for the regional campuses.

"It is extremely heartening to see such an outpouring of hope and caring," Veilleux said. "Now, when the donors read about breakthroughs in cancer research, Parkinson's Disease, or other intractable illnesses, they will know they played a role in that breakthrough. When they read about a beautiful New England river that has been cleared of pollutants, they'll know they had a hand in it. When they attend a cultural event in Hartford, they will have helped paint that picture. And when a local family sits down to enjoy a Holiday dinner in a home built by UConn's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, those who contributed will know they helped build that house. It's a great feeling."

It's also a feeling more UConn employees can share, he added. Borkowski's efforts at the Health Center will continue until Dec. 12, when a reception and prize drawing will be held. And at the Storrs campus, although the closing ceremony took place Thursday, contributions are welcomed until Dec. 1.

Any employee who did not receive or has misplaced their donor card or directory of charitable organizations can receive another by contacting Veilleux at 860.486.3530, or Campus Events at 860.486.1001.