UW News

May 15, 2008

Combined Fund Drive offers chance to Meet the Charities

Have you ever wanted to learn more about — or maybe even volunteer for — one of the charities participating in the annual Combined Fund Drive (CFD)?


If so, a series of five monthly workshops sponsored by the CFD called Meet the Charities might be just the thing. The workshops, each an hour long, will run from May through September.


“Basically, we’re operating the workshops to provide staff and faculty an opportunity to hear what others are doing with their giving, and what kinds of programs they are working on, said Kerri Everly, campus CFD manager. “And it helps us keep it alive year-round.”


The series of meetings also is a chance, Everly said, for new employees to become familiar with the UW’s annual fundraising campaign, which usually runs from October into December.


The charities participating are among the top 20 to which UW faculty, staff and retirees most often contribute.


The Meet the Charities workshops are scheduled as follows:


May 20: The American Lung Association and community health charities, held at UWMC Plaza Café D.


May is National Asthma and Allergy Month and The American Lung Association will be on hand to present ways to help you make your home healthier by identifying health hazards and implementing low- or no-cost solutions. Learn more about the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org.  


June 19: Childhaven, held in 107 Raitt.


One of the first 50 child care centers in the country, Childhaven’s mission is to prevent and stop the cycle of abuse and neglect through scientifically supported programs that protect and treat children ages 1 month through 5 years. Learn more at www.childhaven.org.  


July 22: Doctors Without Borders & Global Impact, held in the UWMC Plaza Café C/D.


Both agencies will be on hand to discuss how they provide emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural or man-made disasters or exclusion from health care in nearly 60 countries. Learn more about Doctors Without Borders at www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Learn more about Global Impact at www.charity.org.  


Aug. 26: Women’s Funding Alliance, held in 115 Smith.


The Women’s Funding Alliance helps strengthen the region by investing in organizations that support women and girls. It’s the leading public foundation in the Puget Sound region dedicated to creating social change by improving the lives of the most socially and economically vulnerable girls. Learn more at www.wfalliance.org.  


Sept. 16: Northwest Harvest, held in 105 Smith.


The only statewide hunger relief agency, Northwest Harvest provides a proven, successful and cost-effective model for getting nutritious food to those who need it. Learn more at www.northwestharvest.org.  


Everly said if these events prove popular, other CFD charities might be invited to campus. “We’d like to have the whole range,” she said. To learn more about the statewide annual fund drive, visit online at http://www.washington.edu/uwcfd/.  


These events are open to the public, but you may preregister to be assured room. Currently, only the May 20 event is open for registration. To register, visit online here.


(You’ll also need course numbers in order to register. They are: For May 20 CFD 508; for June 19, CFD 608; for July 22 CFD 708; for August CFD 808 and for September, CFD 908.)