Champlain College Raises $31,000 for United Way

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Chauncey T. Beaver, Champlain College's mascot and President David F. Finney.

BURLINGTON, VT (12/08/2010)(readMedia)-- The Champlain College United Way Campaign has raised $31,000 and increased its employee participation rate from 40 to 50 percent this year during its United Way of Chittenden County annual Community Campaign.

The campus-wide fund-raising effort employed a variety of social media, blog posts and special events to get the word out to faculty and staff about the need to support United Way and its 60 programs and 30 member agencies. This year's theme, "We Can't Just Leave It to Beaver" played on the notion that the campaign's keyperson was the college's mascot – Chauncey T. Beaver. See the Champlain College United Way blog at http://champlainunitedway.blogspot.com/

According to Stephen Mease, director of public information and news and the co-chair of the Champlain United Way campaign, the original goal was 45 percent participation of the 335 employees, up from 40 percent the year before. The financial goal was set at $31,000, up significantly from $25,112, the amount raised in 2009, he noted.

"There is great value in knowing that we did what we said we'd do and now United Way of Chittenden County and its member agencies and funded programs will be able to do what they promised the community - help those in need, whether young, old or anyone in between," Mease said in thanking the Champlain College community at the end of the month-long campaign.

"Our pledges and donations represent a significant contribution to United Way's overall $4.1 million Campaign goal. The success of this Campaign is just one example," Mease said, "of Champlain College's generosity and tradition of giving back to the community. It is demonstrated every day - whether it is a campus blood drive, a fundraiser for DREAM, Tent City homeless awareness campaign, or individual efforts by students, faculty and staff who volunteer their time, expertise and financial support to help a wide range of organizations and needs."

Champlain College President David Finney added his thanks to all those who supported the 2010 Campaign. "To all those of you who have participated, many, many thanks. The United Way represents, for many people, a key component of their support network. Your contributions matter greatly."

The United Way of Chittenden County's overall Community Fundraising Campaign goal of $4.1 million was announced in September. Every fall between early September and the end of November, hundreds of businesses and organizations in Chittenden County conduct a workplace campaign to benefit United Way of Chittenden County. To make a donation, volunteer or get involved, please call United Way at 864-7541 or visit www.unitedwaycc.org.

ABOUT CHAMPLAIN COLLEGE

Since 1878, Champlain College has provided career-focused education to students from its hill-top campus in Burlington, VT. Champlain's distinctive educational approach embodies the notion that true learning only occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain offers study abroad programs in Montreal, Quebec and Dublin, Ireland. The College was named a "Top-Up-and-Coming School" by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges. It is also ranked in the top tier of 2011 Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about Champlain College, www.champlain.edu

PHOTO cutline:

Chauncey T. Beaver, the mascot for Champlain College, helped to co-chair the annual fundraising campaign to help United Way of Chittenden County. The effort raised $31,000 from staff and faculty donations. He is shown with Champlain College President David F. Finney. (Photo by Stephen Mease/ Champlain College)