Maxine Thomas, whose Apple-Ginger Cake took first prize in the bake-off, gets a hug from Heather Graham. Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

By John Black
Faculty, Staff and Retiree Programs

Before this year's campaign for United Way of Central Maryland and Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund closes out on Dec. 14, divisional coordinators and their deans have been busy holding a variety of events as part of their final push to raise the much-needed funds to pay for community initiatives in 2008.

Homewood Student Affairs held a pet picture contest, the Johns Hopkins University Press hosted a white elephant sale, and the Whiting School of Engineering partnered with Nusinov & Blank Jewelers on an early-December Gold Rush, or unwanted-jewelry sell-back, to raise money for United Way.

The fifth annual Chili Cook-off, organized by the Office of Faculty, Staff and Retiree Programs and Homewood Student Affairs, offered the Johns Hopkins community a hot and spicy lunch and raised almost $1,000 for the campaign.

Candace Abel Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

"Though we are close to reaching our 2007 financial goal, the extra bit that makes up the remaining 10 percent to 15 percent translates into real day-to-day services that organizations addressing problems of domestic violence and homelessness may or may not be able to provide," said 2007 campaign chair Jim Zeller, vice provost for budgets. "Each new donation represents that many more kids tutored, or beds available at local domestic violence shelters. Viewed that way, every donation is needed. If everyone contributed the value of a cup of coffee or lunch for just one or two days a week, we could make a major impact on our community."

The campaign ends on Friday, but pledges for 2008 payroll deductions will be accepted until Dec. 21. To donate online, or for more information about the campaign, go to www.jhu.edu/unitedway or contact the JHU United Way campaign administrator, Matt Smith, at unitedway@jhu.edu or 410-516-0345.

Nestor Torres, first-place winner of the cook-off, with his Stick-to-Your-Ribs chili. Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

Jim Zeller, Elva Joyner and Susan Boswell Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

D. Lynn O'Neil Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

Paul Jacobus and India Lowres Photo by Will Kirk / HIPS

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