Like baseball, it happens every spring — the Brigham Young University Employee Giving 2008 fundraising campaign is off and running. First pitches were thrown to department representatives in orientation meetings last month. They are now distributing invitations to more than 4,000 full-time BYU employees.
The theme of this year's campaign is "I'm investing in BYU." Seven posters featuring different BYU employees have been created for display in offices and hallways across campus. They include Stephanie Allen (Center for Teaching & Learning), Wayne Buckwalter (Student Health Services), James Farrer (OIT), Peter Johnson (Marriott School), Gene Libutti (Physical Facilities), Brittney Losee (Campus Life) and Cinzia Noble (Humanities).
In a brochure that accompanies the invitation to donate, President Cecil O. Samuelson shares his endorsement of the Employee Giving program. "Each of you has the opportunity to make a significant difference for our students," he said. "Your dollars do so much toward accelerating the divine mission of BYU and helping realize some of the most valuable enhancements to their educational experience."
Every BYU employee is encouraged to reply by March 31. Gifts also can be completed online at www.byu.edu/employeegiving. For questions, call the Annual Giving Office at ext. 2-7933.
Last year more than 2,500 employees contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars, which allowed students campus wide to receive assistance through scholarships, mentored-student learning grants and internships. Each dollar donated was truly an investment in BYU and gave employees the opportunity to bless students in need.
This year's campaign director, Darla Seamons of the Annual Giving Office, encourages employees to take advantage of this opportunity to bless lives in record numbers. "Brigham Young University employees are so amazingly generous," she said. "Year after year our employees make a tremendous difference. I wish you could read the many thank-you letters we receive from students who benefit from employee philanthropy."
An employee considering a gift can invest in BYU three different ways. Giving to "Trustees/President's Priorities" allows President Samuelson to use the funds where needed most. A gift to "General Scholarships" will help a student continue his or her education. Giving to the "College Annual Fund" will assist a dean with his or her priorities.
Members of the Employee Giving committee for 2008 include chair Chuck Sims, David Cherrington, Julia Graden, Diane Hill, Christine Holliman, Gene Larson, Daryl Lee, Holly Skelton, Andy Spackman, Catherine Strange and Alana Tilley.
Regarding the committee, Seamons said, "These members have been very faithful in their attendance at monthly meetings and extremely helpful in so many ways. I am so grateful for their dedication and their enthusiasm in promoting the campaign this year."
Writer: Rick Stockton
