Robbins Sets Goal of 250 New Donors for 2019 UA Cares Campaign

University President Robert C. Robbins wants at least 250 additional employees to give this year during the UA Cares campaign.

Robbins issued the challenge during his remarks at the UA Cares kickoff event, held Tuesday on the west lawn of Old Main. Robbins is the campaign's honorary chair for the third consecutive year.

"We would love to see participation by everyone," Robbins said, encouraging those who attended the kickoff to get everybody in their units involved. "Not only do we need your time, your talent and your tithes – meaning we need money – but we also need you to do work, too."

Last year, 555 employees raised nearly $335,000 during UA Cares, the University's annual giving campaign, which has raised more than $5.3 million since it began in 2002. Employees have the option of supporting UA programs through donations to the University of Arizona Foundation or supporting local nonprofit organizations and programs by giving to United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Many more employees donated their time by volunteering at various events.

UA Cares runs through Nov. 22.

Jeffrey Goldberg, dean emeritus of the College of Engineering and special adviser to the president, also spoke at the event.

Natalya Williams, a financial aid counselor in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, is serving as a UA Cares ambassador for the fourth year in a row, planning fundraisers on behalf of her unit. Its efforts have benefited University causes such as the Employee Emergency Fund and the Campus Pantry, as well as local organizations such as Casa de los Niños, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Make Way For Books.

"Supporting UA Cares has always been an important cause that our leadership, staff and I have been very passionate about," she said.

Williams, an alumna, attended the UA with financial support from the Arizona Assurance program,  which helps low-income Arizona students attend the University. Arizona Assurance is among the programs faculty and staff can choose for their UA Cares donations.

"Knowing that the UA Cares campaign supports that program is inspiring to me," she added.

Williams said she appreciates Robbins' passion for the campaign and his willingness to serve as the campaign's honorary chair.

"I just love that he has so much enthusiasm," she said.

Karla Bernal Morales, interim director of the Office of Multicultural Advancement, has coordinated the campaign for the last three years. She said it was heartening to see how passionate Robbins and other campus leaders are about the campaign.

"The leadership has to set the example, and it reflects that our University cares about the community," she said.

Her message to employees is simple: Give what you can.

"Even if it's a $5 gift or a $5,000 gift, participate in the campaign," she said. "Let's show Tucson that the University of Arizona truly cares."

Those interested in donating can do so through payroll deductions or by making a one-time payment. The UA Cares website lists the following ways to give:

• Employees can fill out a paper pledge form indicating how much they'd like to donate and to which causes. It can then be mailed to Administration, Room 313, P.O. Box 210066, Tucson, AZ 85721, to the attention of Karla Morales.
• An online version of the form can be found on the University of Arizona Foundation website.
• Employees can set up one-time payments and recurring payroll deductions via UAccess using the UA Cares tile on the UAccess Employee homepage.

For those interested in getting involved in events or other fundraising efforts, a list can be found on the UA Cares website. Here are a few of the fundraisers that have already been scheduled:

Human Resources Clothing Drive | Now through Nov. 14

The Division of Human Resources is collecting gently used clothing for a drive to benefit YWCA Southern Arizona and the Gospel Rescue Mission. A donation box will be available in the lobby of the University Services Building, 888 N. Euclid Ave., through Nov. 14.

Lunch for Paws | Oct. 24, 11:45 a.m.

Engineering Research Administration Services will offer lunch in front of the Civil Engineering building to raise money for Friends of PACC, a nonprofit partner to the Pima Animal Care Center. A slice of pizza, dessert and a beverage will be available for a suggested donation of $5. Donations can be made via cash or card.

20th Annual Chorizo Breakfast and Drawing | Oct. 25, 8-10 a.m.

The Office of Budget and Planning will hold its annual chorizo breakfast and drawing in Administration, Room 101G. Proceeds will benefit More Than A Bed, a local organization that provides foster, kinship and adoptive families with clothing, beds and other household items. For a suggested donation of $5, participants can enjoy chorizo, eggs, beans, salsa, tortillas and orange juice. Tickets for the drawing are $1 each or six for $5, and prizes include a $50 gift card to Lodge on the Desert, a one-night stay at The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, and four passes to the Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures.

Breakfast Burrito Sale | Oct. 29, 8 a.m. (until sold out)

The Department of Spanish and Portuguese will offer breakfast burritos in Modern Languages, Room 545, to support student scholarships for its study abroad program. An egg, cheese and potato burrito with salsa and a choice of coffee or juice is available for a $5 donation. The event also includes a raffle for a turkey at $2 a ticket or three tickets for $5.

Pumpkin-Crafting Contest | Oct. 31

The Office of the Provost will hold its pumpkin-crafting contest for the fourth year in a row. For participants who supply their own pumpkin, the cost to enter is $5. For $10, entrants will be provided a pumpkin. This year's theme is "bejeweled bounties," and pumpkins should be decorated to be sparkly and gaudy. The event will raise money for United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Entrants are asked to bring their pumpkins to Administration, Room 512, by Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. Pumpkins will be displayed and judged on Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Administration building's Regents Room, Room 705. Attendees will get one free vote for their favorite pumpkin, then five more for $1, or 20 for $5. For more information, contact Jonathan Lazar at jmlazar@email.arizona.edu.

16th Annual FM Chili Cook Off | Nov. 8, 11:30 a.m.

Facilities Management will hold its annual chili cookoff to raise money for Youth On Their Own, an organization that aims to keep homeless youths in school. Bowls of chili are available for $5, or $10 for all you can eat. The event will be held at the Facilities Management Warehouse, 1730 N. Vine Ave. Those interested in competing in the cookoff should call Monica Encinas at 520-626-4915.

The UA Cares calendar will be updated as more events are organized.

Are you planning a UA Cares fundraiser? Promote it by submitting an event to the Master Calendar or a memo through UAnnounce.