Brigham Young University employeesgave more than $200,000 to the United Way of Utah County in 2007, the secondconsecutive year the university has topped the $200,000 level. It reflects a commitment that began more than 40 years ago and continues not only withcash donations but also in service and food drives.
“Compassion for others has always been a fundamentalcharacteristic of BYU’s employees,” said Phyllis Jensen, BYU’s communityrelations coordinator. “They have a sincere desire to help improve the lives ofthose around them.”
The donations helped bolster the United Way’s general fund,the Boy Scouts of America and 26 other nonprofit agencies.
BYU supports the United Way’s three focus areas — buildingfinancially self-sufficient families, preparing children to succeed in schooland beyond, and creating a cohesive community.
To that end, the BYU Bookstoresponsored the Literacy Tree during December 2007. This program was designed tohelp children’s school efforts, and employees and customers supported theproject by donating 114 books to United Way’s Sub for Santa program.
Jensen suggested that the large employee base at BYU allowsthe university to take advantage of its numbers. “By working together, we cancreate lasting change and prevent many problems from occurring in the firstplace,” she said.
More than 150 employees demonstrated this strength innumbers in the fall of 2007 as volunteers for United Way’s Day of Caring. Thosenumbers helped again when 132 employees participated at United Way’s Leadershipgiving levels by donating $250 or more. BYU led all community efforts in thisprogram.
Additionally, the BYU Student Alumni Association provided asubstantial boost to the Utah County food bank by co-sponsoring the annual BYUvs. University of Utah food drive. BYU students and employees donated more than140,000 pounds of food, an increase of nearly 40,000 pounds over 2006. As partof the drive, BYU sold Y-marks for $1 each that were placed through the BYU Bookstoreand in sponsoring businesses.
Writer: Brenna Jackson
