The Johns Hopkins Gazette: November 2, 1998
Nov. 2, 1998
VOL. 28, NO. 10

  

United Way Campaign Chairs Look For Strong Finish

Johns Hopkins Gazette Online Edition

With roughly one week left in the promotion of the 1998 Johns Hopkins United Way Campaign, pledge forms continue to arrive in bundles. To date, the Johns Hopkins Institutions have raised $1.1 million toward their $1.6 million goal.

Campaign chairs, however, say they are confident that the remaining balance will be achieved before campaign's end.

"It is important to note that most School of Medicine and hospital pledge forms were not distributed until [recently]," says Gabe Kelen, chairman of the School of Medicine campaign, which reports reaching 55 percent of its goal. "I feel confident that a multitude of forms will be returned this week."

Some divisions, however, are well on their way to meeting their campaign goals.

The Applied Physics Laboratory, for example, has already achieved 102 percent of its goal and leads the way with 60 percent participation by its employees. APL campaign chair Tom Foard says that the direct involvement of APL employees with United Way charities is a major factor for its success.

"Our campaign was impacted positively by our Day of Caring," Foard says, referring to the institution-wide event through which Hopkins employees spent time in local charities. "It helps when employees are able to see the problems in the community and how their United Way contributions are making a difference."

Likewise, the Johns Hopkins Health Care Group has already surpassed its $11,000 goal by 248 percent.

The total number of leadership contributors--individuals who donate $1,000 or more--is now 175, 37 of them new members.

University divisions, not including the hospital and APL, have reached 70 percent of their goal. Chairman Bob Sirota says he is optimistic that the upcoming lottery drawing and follow-up initiatives by campaign coordinators will help ensure reaching the $730,000 goal.

The university lottery drawing will be held on Nov. 5 at 2 p.m. All employees returning pledges of $35 or more by 5 p.m. on Nov. 4 will be eligible for the chance to win one of 50 gifts donated directly to the Hopkins fund-raising effort.

Although the campaign will officially end Nov. 10, pledges and contributions are accepted all year long.


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