Brigham Young University employees pledged to donate more than $191,000 to United Way of Utah County, exceeding last year’s donations by several thousand dollars.
“The response of the staff and faculty at the University was tremendous,” said Phyllis Jensen, coordinator of community relations and the United Way campaign coordinator at BYU. “Each year, the employees on this campus dig a little deeper and give more to help our community.”
The United Way campaign began with a kickoff event involving university administration, faculty and staff. BYU has more than 50 department representatives who encourage their co-workers to contribute to the campaign. According to Jensen, many of the representatives have been very creative in motivating their departments to donate.
Judy Garvin, senior editor for BYU Publications & Graphics, said her co-workers pledged to give generously because they know about the many worthwhile programs and initiatives that are supported by United Way.
“They know that donating to United Way is important,” Garvin said. “All year long United Way helps to meet so many needs in the community—and more is needed now than ever before.”
To help create interest in this year’s campaign, contributors to the campaign from the BYU Bookstore, Student Auxiliary Services and BYU Publications & Graphics competed in Hot Wheels car races.
“Our car race was a huge success,” said Garvin. “We had an amazing participation rate in our department with pledges averaging more than $125 each.”
In addition to Hot-Wheels races, Jensen said the Student Academic and Advisement Center also had a tremendous participation and raised additional money by donating treats and providing an employee lunch for the administration building.
According to Bill Hulterstrom, president and chief executive officer of United Way of Utah County, the BYU community shows its concern for the well-being of the community through its generosity during each year’s campaign.
“We are delighted with the charitable donation from the employees of Brigham Young University,” Hulterstrom said. “It is wonderful to see an organization that already contributes greatly to the community give more through employee pledges to United Way of Utah County.”
Writer: Katie Hoshino
