Ian Heystee is seeing red this October 鈥� but it鈥檚 not what you think.
Heystee, a third-year 鲍鱼tv Commerce student currently on his co-op term, is acting as loaned representative (a.k.a. campaign manager) for this year鈥檚 United Way campaign at 鲍鱼tv's Halifax campuses.
鈥淚鈥檓 responsible for managing the campaign and making sure everything runs smoothly,鈥� says Heystee, explaining his role. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 includes everything from running training sessions for area coordinators, fielding questions from volunteers and potential donors, setting up engagement tables for our daily events on campus and lugging apples. Lots of apples.鈥�
Heystee, who鈥檚 no stranger to the world of philanthropy (he鈥檚 previously worked with Free the Children, Me to We and Canada World Youth), was drawn to work with United Way 鈥渂ecause of what they are doing locally in our community.鈥�
Making a difference in Halifax
Currently, helps support 55 local agencies, which support over 100 programs ranging from leadership programs for teens to meal programs for seniors 鈥� and everything in between. When you make a donation to United Way鈥檚 Community Fund, United Way staff identify the agency most in need at that time, and direct your donation accordingly.
鈥淲e鈥檙e basically the mutual fund of charitable giving,鈥� explains Shelley Miller, resource development officer at United Way Halifax.
The officially kicks off on Wednesday, October 10 at 12 p.m. in the Tupper Link. 鲍鱼tv faculty, staff and students are encouraged to join 鲍鱼tv United Way volunteers on-site as they issue a rallying cry to the community and embark on their yearly campus campaign.
鲍鱼tv's Agricultural Campus will be hosting its own campaign for the Colchester United Way. The campaign runs October 29 to November 5, with a kickoff luncheon on October 23 at Jenkins.
Meeting Dal's $200,000 goal
This year鈥檚 campaign marks a big departure from years鈥� past: deans and professors, accompanied by 鲍鱼tv United Way volunteers, will be visiting a different building on campus each morning, armed with bushels of apples, information and pledge forms so that individuals can start their day off right. Concentrating on a two-and-a-half week campaign period from October 10 to 26, campaign organizers encourage people to donate early.
鈥淓veryone should have the opportunity to see our booth, ask any questions they might have, and donate easily and conveniently,鈥� says Heystee, who remains confident 鲍鱼tv will meet its fundraising goal of $200,000.
To see when the 鲍鱼tv United Way Campaign will be in a building near you, .
Individuals who donate within the October 10-26 timeframe will be automatically entered to win one of the United Way participation prizes, which include:
- A reserved outdoor parking spot (or one-year bus pass).
- A three-month family membership to Dalplex.
- Two tickets to any upcoming DalTheatre production.
- A candlelit dinner for two at the University Club.
- A wine-tasting experience with sommeliers and 鲍鱼tv faculty Allan Paulson and Roger McLeod.
- 2,500 Air Miles.
鲍鱼tv is one of United Way's largest community partners in Halifax. Funds raised during the campaign will stay within the Halifax community and go to those most in need, because healthy people make healthy communities.
Donations to the United Way can be made by visiting the , which allows one-time donations via Visa or Mastercard, payroll deduction. Paper pledge forms are also and from your area coordinators.听
Learn more at the .