UBC Reports | Vol. 48 | No. 13 | Nov. 7, 2002

UBC United Way Volunteers Clean Up

Fund-Raising Passes the Halfway Mark

By Kate Jobling

A team of 15 dedicated volunteers from various UBC departments spent Sept. 27 cleaning and painting the Coast Foundation’s clubhouse at 11th and Main. It took hours to complete but the effort was appreciated.

“It was a great jump-start to getting our clubhouse back in shape and making it a more inviting place for our members,” says Jack Beatty, manager of the Coast Foundation, an organization which supports adults with mental illness in the Lower Mainland. “It also gave us an opportunity to speak with the volunteers one-on-one and break down some stigmas they have about mental illness.

“Everyone who comes into the newly-spruced clubhouse is inspired by the changes,” says Beatty.

The clubhouse clean-up was just one of the activities put on by the United Way during its Days of Caring, a week-long event designed to promote awareness for the agencies supported by donations.

“One of our campaign goals at UBC this year was to participate in a Days of Caring event. We easily achieved this and the planning committee is really pleased,” says Deborah Austin, this year’s Campaign Chair. “We really have to thank all the volunteers - especially members of CUPE Local 116, CUPE Local 2950 and AAPS - who gave of their time.”

This year’s United Way campaign at UBC is more than halfway towards its goal of $400,000. The campaign continues to accept donations and pledges until the end of December. For more information, call 604.822.8929 or e-mail united.way@ubc.ca.