UF Community Campaign passes goal, raises $1.08 million for charity

December 20, 2005

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Despite predictions that a year of hurricanes and other natural disasters might lead to “charity exhaustion,” the University of Florida Community Campaign surpassed this year’s $1 million goal by nearly $89,000, campaign officials announced today.

The new total also marks the first time the campaign, first launched in 1993, has topped $1 million. The official final figure is $1,088,952.94.

“This is wonderful news, especially at the holidays and after the generosity the university community already displayed during the other calls for help this past year,” said UF President Bernie Machen.

Teresa Dolan, chairwoman of the 2005 UF Community Campaign and dean of UF’s College of Dentistry, said the campaign exceeded her already high expectations.

“The faculty and the staff of the University of Florida truly care about their community. Their record-breaking generosity is yet another example of how the Gators give in a million ways,” Dolan said.

In addition, the leadership campaign part of the drive, in which employees were encouraged to donate $500 or more, broke another record. Four hundred ninety-eight UF employees met that challenge and raised a total of $507,575 toward the million-dollar goal.

“UF faculty and staff members have stepped up to the challenge this year in an extraordinary manner to show their commitment to our community and have helped secure a better tomorrow for many of our neighbors,” said College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Neil Sullivan, who chaired the leadership campaign.

Last week, the UF Community Campaign was recognized at both the United Way and Community Health Charities annual campaign celebrations.

Jim Morgan, UF’s director of business services, accepted on behalf of the university the Community Health Charities of Florida 2005 Ray of Hope Award as Campaign Partner of the
Year. Dolan accepted an Inspiring Success Award at the United Way celebration given to organizations that have gone above and beyond to support their community through an innovative and creative employee campaign.

The 76 local agencies that benefit from this year’s campaign cover a wide spectrum of support services ranging from child care, recreational opportunities, counseling and legal help to environmental protection, disease prevention and medical assistance.

In addition, some of those agencies are partners with UF through the funding of research projects focused on curing disease or improving the quality of life for those afflicted with disease.