UBC Reports | Vol. 49 | No. 2 | Feb. 6, 2003

Over the Top

UBC United Way Campaign surpasses goal; Slonecker honoured for exceptional service

By Erica Smishek

2002 was a goal-smashing, record-breaking and award-winning year for the UBC United Way Campaign.

With final numbers still to come, the campaign raised at least $470,000 -- well beyond the goal of $400,000 and more than any previous campaign.

“Maybe our goal for next year will be to change that four to a five,” Deborah Austin, the chair of the 2002 campaign, said with enthusiasm.

Austin was nominated for the 2002 Employee Campaign Co-ordinator Award at the recent Scotiabank and United Way Community Spirit Awards, which annually celebrate the work and dedication of volunteers in the Lower Mainland. The UBC campaign was nominated for the Leadership Giving Campaign Award.

In addition, University Relations Director Charles (Chuck) Slonecker received the Individual Exceptional Service Award.

“Chuck has been a United Way champion at UBC for the past decade,” said Natalie Meixner, vice-president of the United Way in the Lower Mainland. “He has worked closely with many exceptional Employee Campaign Chairs over the years and he has personally delivered pledge cards to each of the Leadership donors across the university campus.”

The campus had 137 leaders this year, who each gave $1,000 or more to the campaign.

“UBC has the largest number of Leadership donors of any United Way campaign in the Lower Mainland -- a legacy created by Chuck,” said Meixner. “He is a past member of our Campaign Cabinet and a true friend to United Way. Chuck will be retiring from UBC this year, but what he has achieved for our community will last a lifetime.”

Austin expressed gratitude to Slonecker and the other volunteers who make such a vital difference to the campus campaign.

“We have 30-40 core planning members who come back time and time again,” she said. “They know how to organize, they know who to contact, they have exceptional institutional knowledge, they are constantly knocking on doors and visiting deans and getting the word out.”

Austin attributes the United Way’s appeal to the fact that donations stay in the local community. The United Way of the Lower Mainland provides funding to more than 100 local agencies working to meet the health and social needs of a significant number of people in diverse situations.

“When you get in and you dig deeper, you realize that the United Way is truly a charity that looks at supporting needs area by area in our community,” she said. “There is also the fact that people can target their donations. People just want to give and the United Way makes it very simple for them to do so.”