Partners in Giving under way

“Giving Strong” is the theme of the 2006 Partners in Giving campaign, historically known as the state, UW–Madison and UW Hospital and Clinics Employees Combined Campaign of Dane County. The eight-week charitable fundraising effort began on Oct. 9 and will continue through Nov. 30.

This year’s special theme means many things, says Tom Sinclair of the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, a member of the campaign’s administrative board.

“By contributing to the campaign, each of us makes our community, our state and our world better places — stronger places. And by participating in large numbers, we multiply our impact. We have strength in numbers,” says Sinclair.

Since its inception in 1973, the campaign has raised more than $44.6 million, including nearly $2.8 million in 2005. “Those figures provide another example of giving strong,” says Sinclair.

Employees have the option of giving through a convenient payroll deduction, or by cash or check. They also have an array of choices. There are more than 450 organizations in the 2006 campaign, and contributors have the opportunity to designate the individual organizations to which they want their charitable dollars directed.

Now in its 34th year, the campaign is recognized as one of the best-run and most successful public workplace campaigns in the country. It is carried out by employee volunteers, many of whom have worked on the campaign for many years.

College of Letters and Science Dean Gary Sandefur is the chair of the university’s campaign.

“This year we hope to increase the number of employees who participate in the campaign. Please remember that even a small contribution taken from your paycheck can go a long way toward helping others,” says Sandefur.

For more information on Partners in Giving, visit http://secc.wi.gov/.