Rice Campaign for United Way already past one-fourth of goal

Rice University raised more than a quarter of its $175,000 United Way goal for 2012-13 in the first week of the campaign.

The campaign launched Sept. 7 as members of the Rice community joined more than 1,200 attendees at the Hobby Center for the United Way of Great Houston’s campaign kickoff and 90th birthday.

Dorothy Ables, 2012–13 community campaign chair and chief administrative officer for Spectra Energy Corp., told the attendees their participation and support has impacted the community. “United Way has been a beacon of hope for millions of people over the last 90 years,” Ables said.

The School of Natural Sciences leads the Rice campus in funds raised with $7,175, and the Investments division leads in participation with 21 percent. Tied for the most lead donors (those giving $1,000 or more) are the schools of Engineering and Natural Sciences, with four each.

Rice employees’ contributions to United Way not only help the entire Houston community, they also support the university’s Vision for the Second Century commitment to engaging with the city.

Employees may make pledges payable by payroll deductions spread over all paychecks in calendar (and tax) year 2013 by logging in to ESTHER (esther.rice.edu) and filling out the United Way form. To make a cash, check or credit card contribution (for tax year 2012), print and complete the pledge form found at www.rice.edu/unitedway and send it via campus mail to MS 700.

For more information on the United Way campaign, visit www.rice.edu/unitedway.

Attending the citywide campaign kickoff were Rice United Way Campaign committee members, from left, Martha Damon, assistant manager of enrollment management operation center; Claire Salazar, events specialist in Public Affairs; Jennifer Overton, executive assistant in the Shepherd School of Music; Diane Yee, assistant director of IT customer service; Esther Crawford, head of the Kelley Center Government Publications and Microforms in Fondren Library; and Pat Jones, accounting supervisor in the Controller’s Office.