Brock University outshines fundraising target for United Way
Brock University’s 2022 United Way Campaign has surpassed its campaign goal for the year. Together, Brock employees and retirees raised more than $172,000, exceeding the $160,000 campaign goal announced in October.
Giving bounced back to pre-pandemic levels this year, almost matching the $173,008 raised during the 2019 campaign.
Brock’s donation counts towards United Way Niagara’s record-breaking $5.27-million campaign achievement announced yesterday, which will help to improve the lives of more than 175,000 people across the region. Approximately half of the funds raised by the charity come from employee contribution campaigns like Brock’s.
“The Brock University community is No. 1 in employee giving and the second-largest workplace campaign in the region,” says Frances Hallworth, United Way Niagara CEO. “Every year, staff, faculty, students, alumni and retirees give their time and support to make a positive difference in the lives of individuals across the Niagara region.”
This year, Brock’s United Way Committee teamed up with the Brock University Retirees’ Association (BURA) to increase retirees’ involvement in the campaign.
“True to Brock University’s tradition of excellence and creativity, a budding partnership between the Brock United Way Committee and BURA resulted in more retirees choosing to continue their legacy of enhancing the economic, social, cultural and intellectual lives of the community by participating in the Brock University United Way campaign,” says Hallworth.
As well as efforts to connect with more Brock’s retirees, the United Way Committee also revived two annual campaign events that haven’t run since before the pandemic: the Souper Star Lunch and Trivia Night.
“We were excited to bring back these signature in-person events,” says Jocelyn Titone (BBA ’07), Communications Specialist and Brock’s United Way Campaign Staff Co-Chair. “They play an important role in bringing together the Brock community as we work towards our goal of making life better for everyone in Niagara.”
The more than $172,000 raised by Brock’s 2022 campaign is enough to support approximately 5,700 people in Niagara.
One in three people in Niagara receive support through 143 local high-impact programs each year.
“So many people in our community rely on programs and initiatives funded by United Way. Brock’s campaign committee is grateful for the generosity and support of our colleagues across campus this year,” says Colleen Whyte (BRLS, ’97), Brock’s United Way Campaign Faculty Co-Chair and Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies. “We can’t wait to see how much more we can achieve together next year.”
In total, the Brock community has raised more than $2.6 million for United Way since 2003.