University of Nebraska–Lincoln employees have the chance to affect the lives of thousands by giving to the Lincoln-area Combined Campaign for Health and Human Services.

The annual community pledge drive runs Oct. 28 to Nov. 27.

Chancellor Ronnie Green helped kick off the giving drive at an Oct. 23 pre-launch with faculty and staff volunteers. Green and his wife, Jane, pledged to increase their annual $5,000 gift to $10,000. He also announced a university goal to raise $400,000. Last year, faculty and staff combined pledged nearly $340,000.

To help generate 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 giving, urging all coworkers to turn in pledge forms.

Video: 2020 United Way Combined Campaign

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.

The inaugural Chancellor’s Cup, was awarded to the College of Nursing after last year’s giving campaign. Standings in the 2020 campaign will be announced weekly in Nebraska Today.

Co-chairs for the university’s Combined Campaign include, Charlie Foster, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and director of the Office of Academic Success and Intercultural Services; John Cook, head coach for Husker volleyball; and Tiffany Heng-Moss, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

“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.”

The Combined Campaign benefits three federations — Community Health Charities of Nebraska, Community Services Fund of Nebraska and United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County. The three federations represent more than 130 local agencies that assist members of the community.

A variety of giving options are available.

Pledge forms and additional details are available on the university’s 2020 Combined Campaign website. For more information, send email to unlcombinedcampaign@unl.edu.