The countdown is on for this year's UBC United Way Campaign and organizers have a full slate of fund-raising events in place campus-wide for the two-week effort to be held from Oct. 18 to Oct. 29.
"While we are highlighting the larger events, they are just the tip of the iceberg," says Ceremonies and Events manager Eilis Courtney, chair of the 1999 campus campaign. "There are many other smaller, fun events going on within departments and offices around campus that volunteers have worked on tirelessly to organize."
This year's UBC campaign officially kicks off Oct. 18, marked by an early morning wave-in by organizers and volunteers at each of the main campus entrances. The mass greetings will serve as a notice to faculty, staff, students and campus visitors that the campaign has started.
Later that day, for a mere $5, people can feast on salmon and bannock at the First Nations Longhouse from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"The Care-y mascot will be there to welcome people to the barbecue as well as live music and door prizes. We will also be selling raffle tickets for the Canadian Airlines draw," says salmon barbecue volunteer organizer Anne Cuthbert of UBC's Public Affairs Office. "It's a hot ticket -- they are selling out very quickly."
As part of this year's campaign, two Canadian Airlines tickets will be raffled off for any one of the airline's worldwide destinations with second- and third-place cash prizes. Tickets are $5 each.
The annual Custodial Barbecue and International Food Fest is the next major event set for Oct. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Services building. Always a popular affair, the mouth-watering choices offered have consistently drawn raves for their variety and exotic nature.
On Oct. 25, the UBC Ritsumeikan Open House will feature Japanese food and entertainment from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"There will be delicious food and hilarious entertainment and the chance to learn some origami," says organizer Bill McMichael.
The annual crowd-pleasing Pancake Breakfast will again feature celebrity flapjack flippers serving breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Instructional Resource Centre's main foyer Oct. 28.
"Everybody knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day so what better way to donate to the United Way than getting a hearty breakfast served by campus celebrities and for only $3," says Roseanne McIndoe, the breakfast organizer.
UBC faculty and staff will receive campaign pledge forms by campus mail Oct. 18. Forms must be submitted by Oct. 22 to be eligible for the early bird draw. Deadline for the final draw is Dec. 10. Prizes range from restaurant certificates and Cypress Mountain ski passes to champagne cruises, says Courtney.
A bingo card will also be included with the pledge forms for an online game to be held over a four-week period starting Oct. 18.
Courtney says one of the best ways for staff and faculty to give is through payroll deduction. A $2 per pay cheque donation will provide a staffed crisis centre line for one hour while $5 per pay cheque will give 15 seniors a hot lunch, she says.
For information on events, details of the online bingo game or to volunteer for this year's UBC United Way campaign, contact the campaign office at 604-822-8929 or visit the Web site at www.unitedway.ubc.ca.