McGill community makes a difference for Centraide of Greater Montreal

McGill campaign has raised 51 per cent of its $425,000 goal, with three weeks to go

By Meaghan Thurston

If you ask Eyal Baruch, an assistant manager at McGill’s Athletics and Recreation facilities, why he supports Centraide, the answer is about a boy. “I have been a mentor with the organization Big Brothers Big Sisters for seven years,” he says. “My little brother is now a healthy 14 year old and we do so much together. Centraide’s funding of Big Brothers Big Sisters ensures that he can participate in activities that he would never be able to take part in otherwise. He has been to activities at McGill several times, which in turn gives him some inspiration for his future.” Big Brothers Big Sisters received $165,237 from Centraide in 2013.

Centraide is an independent philanthropic organization that helps nearly 370 organizations in the Greater Montreal area, from human-rights groups, to those who provide food services, to those who help seniors. Centraide estimates that one in seven people in Montreal are assisted by its agencies, including children and youth, seniors, newcomers to Canada, and people with disabilities or mental health problems.

With only three weeks to go, the McGill-Centraide Campaign has raised $215,000 – 51 per cent of its $425,000 goal, according to the campaign website. Centraide of Greater Montreal raises nearly $60 million on an annual basis. This year’s target is $57 million. In 2013, McGill was ranked as one of the “Top 100” Campaigns, which were collectively responsible for raising 66.6 per cent of the funds.

“Despite the tough financial times our University has faced in recent years, the McGill community has again rallied around this important cause,” said campaign co-chair Rosie Goldstein, Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations). “However, if you haven’t already donated we need your help if we are to reach our goal in 2014. Even a small donation will make a difference,” she stressed.

Three co-chairs are leading this year’s effort: Dr. Goldstein and Professor Daniel Jutras, Dean of Law, together with Courtney Ayukawa, President of the Student’s Society of McGill University.

In October, the McGill-Centraide Campaign committee launched a photo-sharing project on Facebook and Twitter to raise awareness about the funding drive. The photo campaign encourages members of the McGill community to take photos of themselves that highlight why they support Centraide and to post them on the websites along with #WeCentraide #OnCentraide. About the photo-sharing project campaign co-chair Dean Jutras said, “providing service to society is at the heart of our mission as an academic institution, and this project showcases our commitment as a community to taking action in the areas where needs are greatest.”

SSMU president Courtney Ayukawa has championed the importance of student involvement in the campaign. “Giving back to the community is a vital component of the SSMU mission,” she said. “As future leaders, McGill’s students are eager to contribute to a society that is contributing to their development.”

McGill’s students, faculty and staff can give in a variety of ways: by participating in events being organized around the campuses or through the payroll deduction process that allows you to make a small contribution every pay cycle. You can also make one-time donations online.

Those who contributed via payroll deductions last year are advised that these commitments are not automatically renewed; however, all payroll deduction commitments made this year will be automatically renewed next year. “It’s our goal to make giving as simple a process as possible, and payroll deductions are the easiest and most sustainable way to support Centraide,” says McGill-Centraide campaign manager Brett Hooton. If you can’t locate your personalized email, please contact nancy.wong@mcgill.ca.

Visit the McGill-Centraide website for more information.