Florida State employees give more than ever to United Way

The Florida State University announced today that in the United Way campaign just ending university employees contributed more to help local social service agencies than ever before.

Co-captains of the campus campaign, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Lawrence G. Abele and Florida State Police Chief David Perry, held a news conference at the Westcott Building to report that 1,600 faculty and staff had raised $443,842 in 2009.

That is $68,000 more than the goal of $375,000, which had been lowered from the previous year in recognition of a tough economic climate in the state and the nation. But in spite of their own financial challenges, Florida State employees blew past it, contributing $26,000 more than they had in 2008.

Included in the total were 122 “Leadership Givers,” who each donated more than $1,000.

“This speaks volumes about the caring spirit of our faculty and staff,” Abele said. “They always dig deep to help their neighbors in need in Tallahassee and in the surrounding counties. We are humbled and gratified by their generosity.”

“Our departmental representatives were so determined to have a good campaign that they came up with very innovative, fun and effective ways to encourage their fellow employees to give generously,” Perry said. “It was very impressive.”

In receiving a symbolic check from President T.K. Wetherell, Ken Armstrong, president of the United Way of the Big Bend, said Florida State had long been a good partner.

“FSU and United Way of the Big Bend work together for the good of the community in many ways, in addition to the annual campaign,” Armstrong said. “FSU has a heritage of community outreach and involvement.

“For the FSU family to contribute almost $440,000 back to the Big Bend through United Way is historic . . . and wonderfully generous.”