by Annette Herrera
Daily Lobo
The UNM Young Leaders' Society and UNM President Louis Caldera encouraged faculty and staff to donate to United Way at a brown bag lunch at the SUB on Monday.
Caldera said faculty and staff could support United Way through a one-time annual donation or a monthly payroll deduction.
"Collectively, the University recognizes that we are part of this community," he said. "When we do this together, it sends a message that we support the community."
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The University is the third largest employer in the city of Albuquerque, employing 15,832 people, Caldera said, and the University should show support toward United Way.
"We need to play a role beyond an education role," he said. "We should impact our community."
UNM's Campaign Step Up is an annual fund-raiser that tries to motivate at least 15 percent of faculty and staff at UNM to donate to United Way. The fund-raising goal this year is $400,000.
The United Way of Central New Mexico is a nonprofit organization that works with people of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance and Valencia counties to help build a stronger community, according to its Web site.
United Way raises money for community organizations with the help of local volunteers and businesses. The more than 200 volunteers decide which organizations the money will go to.
Clint Wells, the director of Workplace Campaign for United Way, said organizations who want to receive funding go through a competitive bidding process.
There are more than 115 agencies that request funding, including a number of University programs, he said.
United Way supports several UNM organizations, including KUNM Radio, UNMH programs and KNME-TV.
Caldera said it is important to increase the number of volunteers helping the charity.
"United Way is an umbrella that helps support organizations that are helping improve our community," he said. "Often these organizations are going unrecognized."
