United Way's campus campaign co-ordinator Kelly Gray performs a simple exercise with groups of potential United Way donors.
Everyone stands, then she asks them to sit down if they can answer yes to a short list of questions: Have you or anyone in your immediate family ever been treated at B.C.'s Children's Hospital? Have you or anyone in your immediate family ever taken swimming lessons from the Red Cross? Have you ever been at an event where St. John's first aid attendants were on hand?
Each is an example of a United Way agency. After a few questions, there's no-one standing.
"You can see realization dawning on their faces, after I've named only a handful of United Way's 105 member agencies in the Lower Mainland," says Gray.
One month into United Way's campus campaign, UBC faculty, staff and students have donated more than $170,807 towards this year's goal of $310,000.
For more information, or to volunteer, call (604) 294-UWAY.