Western to announce UW goal

By Paul Mayne
January 20, 2012

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In a community with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, the demand for services offered by United Way of London & Middlesex is being stretched. The University of Western Ontario hopes to alleviate some of that stress with the announcement of its United Way fundraising total this Monday.

The total will be announced at 11:30 a.m. in the University Community Centre’s Mustang Lounge (former gymnasium).

Last year, Western announced a record-breaking gift of $631,487 on behalf of the university's faculty, staff, retirees and students, making it the largest donation ever to the local United Way.

For Lisa Lopes, this year's Western-sponsored employee, the campus campaign tells the story of remarkable achievements by students, faculty, staff, retirees and volunteers, and this success reflects the ways we are all working together to support our community, co-workers, friends and neighbours.

"We live in exciting and challenging times and we all have a responsibility to help overcome difficulties; to ensure we continue to live in a community that is conscious of what needs to be done," says Lopes, adding Western hopes to make a dent in the citywide campaign goal of $8.5 million.

"My experience as this year's sponsored employee truly was an eye-opening and life-changing experience," Lopes adds. "I'm so thankful to have had this opportunity. I am truly impressed and grateful for everything that everyone contributed to making this campaign so easy for me."

Since 1994, Western's campus community has raised more than $6.9 million for United Way of London & Middlesex.