University at Buffalo - The State University of New York

Scott Nostaja, campaign chair, addresses liaisons during the kickoff luncheon. Photo: NANCY J. PARISI

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• “Public service and community engagement are fundamental to what we do as a university.”

  President John B. Simpson

By CHARLOTTE HSU

Published: September 9, 2009

UB’s 2009 Employee Campaign for the Community launched Wednesday with its chair declaring he believed UB workers could meet and exceed the goal of $875,000 set for this year’s fundraising effort.

Employee giving during last year’s campaign totaled about $878,000, more than the amount raised at any other New York college or university that holds a similar fundraising drive, said Scott Nostaja, chair of UB’s employee campaign, vice president for human resources and chief of staff to President John B. Simpson. Nostaja encouraged workers to build on past successes and aim even higher.

“I’m holding out for the million bucks,” he told a crowd of campaign volunteers gathered at the Center for Tomorrow for a luncheon of chicken pecan salad and turkey or roasted vegetable wraps. “I think we can do it. What an incredible accomplishment and an incredible achievement that would be for UB.”

At the kick-off event, campaign leaders, known as “liaisons,” received packets of information to distribute to co-workers in their offices who can donate to one or more of more than 600 charities through the fundraising drive. Speakers at the luncheon included Simpson and Michael Weiner, president of the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, who urged volunteers to make the campaign fun by holding events such as silent auctions to raise money. Recent fundraisers tied to the employee-giving effort have included a hot dog roast and basket raffle at the Ellicott Complex and various sales in Crofts Hall.

Simpson applauded the hard work of employees contributing to the campaign, saying “public service and community engagement are fundamental to what we do as a university.” The success of the fundraising effort, he told volunteers, is a result of “the leadership and commitment of people like you.”

Weiner emphasized the importance of UB’s efforts in a community whose problems include child abuse, domestic violence, homelessness and poverty. The theme of this year’s campaign, “Our generosity reaches others,” highlights the same point—that employees’ donations make a real, tangible difference in the world.

As Nostaja said, “The real value of the campaign is our contribution that we make in people’s lives. …A contribution of just $2 a pay period will immunize 400 school children. A contribution of just $3 a pay period, the equivalent cost of a six-pack of Coca Cola, will provide five families with emergency food and clothing.”