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United Way Campaign Begins

The Dartmouth United Way Campaign is gearing up for another strong year. The campaign kickoff will be on Wednesday, Oct. 10, when all employees will receive a letter via e-mail from Susan DeBevoise Wright, wife of President James Wright and honorary chair of the Dartmouth campaign, inviting them to participate. The goal for this year’s Dartmouth campaign is $260,000.

At the Sept. 15 football game, Director of Athletics and Recreation Josie Harper (right) was joined by key members of Upper Valley United Way (UVUW). From left: Bill Hochstin, Dartmouth United Way campaign chair; Cary Chen, CFO of Hypertherm; and Dick Blodgett ’55, treasurer of Upper Valley United Way. Dartmouth athletics donated $2 for every adult ticket sold at the game to UVUW.

The campaign got a head start on Sept. 15, when Dartmouth football and the Upper Valley United Way (UVUW) teamed up at the Big Green’s home opener against Colgate for “Community Day” at Memorial Field. Dartmouth athletics donated $2 for every adult ticket sold, raising a total of $2,672. Wright says, “The Dartmouth community has a long tradition of stepping up to serve and assist. This partnership with Dartmouth football represents another wonderful aspect of the College’s tradition of reaching out to neighbors in need.”

Since 1972, UVUW has supported direct human services in the local community, investing more than $15 million dollars in the Upper Valley. In addition to supporting local programs, UVUW focuses on community issues and impact. Dartmouth has supported the UVUW for over thirty years, conducting campus-wide campaigns that have raised, in total, over $4 million that directly benefits residents of Upper Valley communities.

“The funds provided through the United Way campaign stay in the local area,” says William Hochstin, Dartmouth United Way Campaign chair and director of materials management in the Procurement Office. “I encourage all members of the campus community to participate and help provide the services that benefit our neighbors, families, and friends.”

Last spring, the UVUW awarded over $655,000 to 74 agency programs in the community, including funding for new programs at 10 Bricks, ACORN, Willing Hands, Second Growth, and the Upper Valley Haven. Dana Hanson, UVUW campaign director, says, “While working to fund more local health and human service agencies, United Way is also focused on getting to the heart of problems in the Upper Valley and taking an active role in creating lasting changes.

“The first-ever Upper Valley United Way Community Impact Initiative was launched in December 2006. This initiative works to increase job readiness, life skills, and financial literacy for at-risk youth, enabling them to be successful employees and achieve financial stability. The goal is lasting change that reduces the potential for future poverty.”

Donations this year will be handled mainly through the online eWay system that was launched last year, although employees still have the option to use paper donation forms. The flexible system allows employees to make contributions by check, credit card, debit card, payroll deductions, or stock donations. All employees who have made their donations via eWay by Oct. 24 will be automatically entered in a drawing for a clock made of wood harvested from the Second College Grant.

Each department has a campaign coordinator available to help with using eWay and to provide paper donation forms. More campaign information can be found at Dartmouth's United Way Campaign.

“Upper Valley United Way is fortunate to have such a strong partnership with Dartmouth College,” says Hanson. “The generosity of the Dartmouth community demonstrates the understanding that each one of us has the ability to improve lives.”

By SARAH MEMMI 

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