United Way donations made by faculty and staff have — in part — helped Brandon Reyes pursue his dreams as a first-generation Husker.
The son of Mexican immigrants, Reyes once struggled with grades and ran with a group bent on finding trouble. Reyes’ path changed when his parents insisted he attend Lighthouse, a United Way-supported, after-school program that offers academic supports, enrichment activities, and evening meals to middle and high school students.
“It would have been a lot harder to even get through high school without the support I received at Lighthouse,” Reyes said. “They became my second family. And, they just always made sure you had someone there to help you with whatever you were struggling with — be it homework or staying out of trouble.”
Lighthouse is one of the more than 145 local agencies that benefit from the Lincoln-area Combined Campaign for Health and Human Services. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a longtime participant in the campaign. This year, campus leaders are challenging faculty and staff to expand their annual giving to the fundraiser, which runs from Oct. 29 to Nov. 30.
Chancellor Ronnie Green, a co-chair for the campus drive, is helping lead the charge to increase donations from the university. During a campaign pre-launch at Nebraska Innovation Campus on Oct. 24, Green committed to giving more than he has previously and pledged to shave his head if the university’s donation total exceeds $350,000.
“OK, we’ve got our work cut out for us now,” said Mike Zeleny, associate to the chancellor. “Let’s make the chancellor bald!”
To help expand campus enthusiasm toward the fundraiser, more than 150 faculty and staff have volunteered to serve as campaign leaders within departments and units. The volunteers will work to increase overall participation, urging all coworkers to turn in pledge forms — even from individuals who opt not to donate.
The university is working with the United Way to track the percentage of employees who submit pledge forms electronically and by paper. The results will be used to award the Chancellor’s Cup to one campus division as defined on the university’s Combined Campaign website. The winner will hold the cup until next year’s campaign.
All faculty and staff who submit a pledge form will also be entered into weekly drawings. Four winners will be selected each week of the campaign. Prizes include: tickets to a Lied Center for Performing Arts show; season tickets to the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center; “Atlas of Nebraska” coffee table book; lunch for four at the Lewis Training Table in Memorial Stadium; invitations to Chancellor Green’s football pregame tailgate and skybox; and tickets to attend Husker volleyball, men’s basketball and women’s basketball contests.
A participation leaderboard and winners of individual prizes will be announced weekly in Nebraska Today.
Co-chairs for the university’s Combined Campaign include Green, his wife, Jane, and Charlie Foster, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and director of the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services.
“Giving to the Combined Campaign works,” Foster said. “I’ve read to children at McPhee Elementary. I’ve seen Sudanese mothers and daughters interact in groups led by YWCA. And, I’ve seen families whose lives have been touched by the Malone Center.
“Your gifts are put to work making lives better.”
Reyes, a sophomore nutrition, exercise and health sciences major in Nebraska’s College of Education and Human Sciences, is an example of how those supports can open doors.
“I remember a time when I wasn’t even sure I was going to get through high school,” Reyes said. “But, thanks to Lighthouse and all the motivation they provide, I pushed forward and have been able to further my education and improve my future.”
Combined Campaign administrators and leaders of supported organizations are excited about the university’s focus on increasing participation and the potential for additional overall support.
“I always talk about how even the smallest donation can make a huge impact,” said Bill Michener, executive director of Lighthouse. “So, when I’m talking about the University of Nebraska — one of the largest employers in the state — can you imagine what can be done with the power of the Huskers?
“I’m hoping that the university steps up, because they can make a profound impact on this community and on the lives of our young people.”
