Media Release

For Immediate Release

October 16, 2008

Tug of war to kick off United Way campaign

The annual Saint Mary’s United Way Campaign will kick-off tomorrow, Oct. 17, at 12 p.m. (noon) with the traditional tug of war between the Huskies Football Team and as many faculty and staff as possible.

The university community is invited to attend the kick-off event outside the Courtside Lounge at The Tower. There will be a free barbecue lunch, and everyone is invited to participate in the fun.

Dr. J. Colin Dodds, President of Saint Mary’s University, said there are many different events throughout the school year which bring the Saint Mary’s community together, but the annual United Way campaign stands out from the rest.

“It is an occasion which is embraced by the Saint Mary’s community because it provides a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Dr. Dodds, noting how important it is to support the work of the neighbourhood agencies funded by the United Way of Halifax Region. 

This year, the university’s campaign goal is $38,000, more than ever before.

“The United Way has been active in our local communities for more than seven decades and Saint Mary’s has a long-standing and proud tradition of helping it carry out its valuable and important work,” said Dr. Dodds. “The funds we raise here at Saint Mary’s go a long way toward improving the lives of so many in our local communities -- but all of us benefit.”

The United Way funds 55 agencies in HRM. It supports dedicated groups of people working across the spectrum of social issues, from elder care, early childhood education, disability, affordable housing and support for low-income families to addiction counselling, youth programs, sexual health, urban gardens, and many more.

This year the campaign organizing committee, led by the Patrick Power Library, has created a number of ways for faculty, staff and students to participate during the two-week campaign. There will be events such as a book sale in the Library on Oct. 22, 23 and 24, a candy jar contest, a raffle for a $1,000 office chair, and a student word-search contest in The Journal.

For more information about the campaign or making a contribution, please contact campaign chair Ron Houlihan at 420-5198 or Brenda Bentley at 420-5533.

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For more information:

Blake Patterson
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: blake.patterson@smu.ca
www.smu.ca