University celebrates Giving Green Campaign success

UNC Charlotte faculty, staff and administrators gathered in the Barnhardt Student Activity Center Salons Nov. 14 to celebrate the successful culmination of the 2013 Giving Green Campaign.

Co-chairs Joël Gallegos and Misty Hathcock made the “big reveal” as Chancellor Philip Dubois announced the campaign total of $154,609. This figure, which combines gifts to the ASC, SECC and the UNC Foundation, topped last year’s effort.

“Misty and I may have kick-started the campaign with our $1,946 pledge at the luncheon earlier this fall, but you all revved it up,” Gallegos told celebration attendees. “Your gifts and pledges combined reached $154,609. That’s roughly $10,000 more than last year, which is fantastic. But even better – we added 99 new donors for a total of 714 Giving Green participants. That’s not the 40 percent that is typical for many workplace giving programs, but it’s moving us closer toward that direction.”

Hathcock also expressed her appreciation to all the UNC Charlotte employees who joined the Giving Green Campaign. “As an alumna, I’m very proud to be part of this University and of how we’re demonstrating our Giving Green spirit, not only during the fundraising part of the campaign, but throughout the year. Let’s continue to venture into the community and Give Green.”

As part of the program, attendees watched a video that focused on Giving Green Volunteer Week and the impact that University employees have in the community.

Representatives from Classroom Center, Carolina Raptor Center and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina discussed how their organizations relied upon volunteer support.

Steve Cross, community development coordinator at Second Harvest and a UNC Charlotte alumnus, said “Volunteers are huge for us. We only have 24 full-time staff members. Last year, we had 100,000 volunteer hours that saved us $2.3 million in labor costs. It makes me proud to be a 49er and to see them (other 49ers) out in the community.”