The University of New Mexico kicked off its annual Gives Campaign with Donut Wednesday, a morning coffee and donut event, in front of Hodgin Hall on Oct. 3.
The event highlighted the University’s partnership with United Way of Central New Mexico (UWCNM). UWCNM is a nonprofit whose mission includes improving high school graduation rates, providing better resources to victims of domestic violence and preparing students to enter the workforce.
A pamphlet distributed by UWCNM at the event said the organization “funds over 82 nonprofit social service programs.” Donations go toward Tax Help New Mexico, the Family Advocacy Center, the 2-1-1 helpline and the Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Kate Livingston, a campaign coordinator for United Way and former executive director of UNM Anderson Management Development Center , said in addition to providing immediate help to those in need, the organization aims to make systemic changes through donations in Bernalillo, Valencia, Torrence and Sandoval county communities.
“This is a way for me to give back and try to affect change here and that’s really what this mission focus is — we’re trying to affect longer term change,” Livingston said.
Livingston said Donut Wednesday provides collaboration at an unprecedented level between multiple charities and the University.
“Working with UNM, we can do one joint campaign — one website where people can give to UNM, but also support their community,” she said. “We really do hope that people will support both causes — this is not a competition, this is collaboration in its finest form.”
It was reported by UNM Newsroom that the campaign last year raised almost $750,000.
Abra Altman, the strategic support manager at the Office of the President, said the University has been continuing this tradition for the past 20 years.
Altman said the Office of Community Engagement encourages “staff and faculty to give monetary donations or pledge their time to the community.”
Altman said volunteers can record their hours as part of the campaign this year online at unmgives.unm.edu.
UNM President Garnett Stokes released a letter this semester, stating that the “Lobo pack can play an instrumental role in positive change throughout our state” by donating to UWCNM, the Lobo Foundation or other local organizations.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
While this has been a longstanding event at the University, some students were unaware of the cause.
Stephanny Rodriguez, a junior majoring in nursing, heard about the event from Twitter. She said she also saw a pamphlet on campus.
Rodriguez said the free donuts and coffee prompted her to attend.
“It would be cool if they put, ‘For donations,’ or, ‘For charity event,’ — letting the students know what it’s for instead of just like, ‘just coffee,’” she said, adding that she would have liked to have seen an email providing more detail about the event.
On Wednesday, Oct. 17, UNM North Campus will host a Donut Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Health Science Center Plaza.
The UNM Gives Campaign will run until Thursday, Dec. 20.
Anthony Jackson is a freelance reporter with the Daily Lobo. He can be contacted at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @TonyAnjackson.
