Campaign for the Community exceeds goal by nearly $20,000

The 2015 Employees Campaign for the Community has proven to be even more successful than previously thought.

At the campaign’s wrap-up event in mid-January, staff reported that the campaign had hit its goal of $875,000 by raising $875,118.

But some contributions that have come in since then have pushed the final total significantly higher — to $894,748 as of March 30, nearly $20,000 more than the goal.

Campaign contributions benefit hundreds of agencies that fall under the umbrella of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, and several more that don’t.

“The generosity of our employees is amazing, both in their monetary donations, as well as the innumerable volunteer hours spent publicizing, encouraging and supporting faculty and staff to contribute,” campaign chair Marsha Lewis, dean of the School of Nursing, said in announcing the new total. “The Campaign for the Community demonstrated the power of both the individual and the collective in making a difference in the lives of our families, friends and neighbors.

“We at UB should be proud of our engagement to strengthen Buffalo and improve the lives of our citizens.”

President Satish K. Tripathi also thanked faculty and staff who “contributed their time, energy and support on behalf of this campaign — their dedication and commitment are truly inspiring, and clearly they have a visible impact.”

“Service is a vital part of our mission as a public research university,” Tripathi said, “and this campaign has been a model of engagement and outreach for our university community for many years.

“UB is proud to partner with the United Way on this campaign, which impacts our communities in so many ways.”

Michel Weiner, president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, added his congratulations “for a job well done.”

“Our friends at UB continue to go above and beyond in their support of our community and we are so fortunate to have such a wonderful partnership.

“You should all be so proud of what you have accomplished and the ‘bar’ continues to get set higher and higher for the UB team,” Weiner said.

The 2016 UB campaign will be chaired by Robert Genco, SUNY Distinguished Professor in the School of Dental Medicine.

The Day of Caring, which serves to kick off UB’s annual campaign, will take place on Aug. 17.