We did it!

Thanks to the outstanding generosity of the University community, we surpassed our 2017 goal and raised an incredible $632,000 for Wellington Dufferin Guelph United Way!

President Franco Vaccarino was on hand when the 2017 United Way campaign total was announced at an event celebrating this year’s campaign volunteers.

Screen showing $632,000: the total U of G raised for United Way in 2017“Our annual United Way campaign demonstrates the power of bringing together resources, ideas and shared commitment toward a common goal – improving lives in our local community,” said Vaccarino.

Campaign co-chair Catherine Carstairs was overjoyed with the final tally. “I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish as a University,” she said.

“The United Way not only brings us together as a community, but it helps us make Guelph Wellington Dufferin a better place to live.”

The 2017 campaign involved students, faculty and staff from across campus and included dozens of fundraising events.

Peter Routledge, campaign co-chair, says, “Volunteering for the United Way takes time and effort, but it is never work. It’s just something that you love to do.”

This is the sixth year in a row that we have surpassed our goal and the ninth time that U of G has raised more than $500,000 in a campaign.

Grand Prize Winners

Everyone who submitted a pledge card for the 2017 United Way campaign was entered in the grand prize draw. Congratulations to our winners!

  • Craig McDonald – $500 RRSP, donated by TD Canada Trust
  • Jordan Kovats – one-year parking pass, donated by Sustainable Transportation and Parking Services
  • Clare MacMartin – tuition fee for one continuing education course, donated by Open Learning and Educational Support
  • Dorothy Goettler – one-year Gryphon NRG Membership, donated by the Department of Athletics

Tuition Raffle Winner

This year, our United Way tuition raffle was bigger and better than ever with some fantastic new prizes. Congratulations to our student winners!

  • Kent Smith – $1,000 tuition rebate
  • Ian Thompson – one-semester parking pass
  • Brett Snider – $500 off a distance education course

Student campaign co-chairs Sasha Monteiro and Remy Orpen are grateful for the support students showed this year.

“The student campaign really helps Gryphons connect with their community,” said Monteiro.

Orpen added, “Guelph is our home for a good few years. Supporting the United Way helps show our wider community that we care and truly feel connected here.”

President Franco Vaccarino and United Way co-chairs Catherine Carstairs and Peter Routledge

Recognizing Our Outstanding Volunteers
This months-long campaign relies on a huge number of volunteer coordinators, canvassers and event leaders. At the campaign closing lunch on Dec. 1, awards were presented to campaign volunteers who went above and beyond.

  • Jen Beehler, Department of Geography, received the Gabrielle Hubert Award for outstanding contributions by an individual volunteer.
  • Animal Health Laboratory Social Committee and Open Ed both received the Spirit Award, presented to the department representing the ultimate in United Way support and spirit.
  • JDCC (Jeux du Commerce Central) U of G business students were awarded the Student Spirit Award for outstanding student participation.
  • College of Arts received the President’s Award as the campus unit with the highest increase in both participation and dollars raised.
  • Sarah Goody received the Campaign Co-Chairs Award for exceptional leadership and commitment to the University’s campaign over a period of years.
  • Stephanie Nutting is our 2017 College Idol.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who supported this year’s campaign through pledges, donations and campus events. Together, we did something amazing!