President David Schmidly is encouraging students to donate to United Way of Central New Mexico, despite the economic downturn.
"Now, more than ever, it is time for us to pull together as a community and to help our brothers and sisters in need," Schmidly wrote in his Monday morning message Oct. 6. "Now, more than ever, is the time to support United Way."
United Way of Central New Mexico is a nonprofit organization that has worked in collaboration with UNM for more than 20 years.ˇ
The United Way does not keep funds - rather, it gives 100 percent of donations to other charities that donors choose, said Martha Bedard, co-chairwoman for the UNM United Way Campaign.
"That's a question that people always ask: 'Why would I bother to go through United Way to donate to X when there's probably all this money that United Way skims off the top, such as administrative costs?'" Bedard said.ˇ"Well, there are no disadvantages, because there are no administrative costs."
The United Way directs funds to charity agencies such as the Roadrunner Food Bank and the Children's Grief Center, but it also benefits agencies within UNM, including KUNM Radio, KNME-TV and the University Libraries, Bedard said.
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"There's some amazing agencies," she said. "There's one that works closely with the UNM student community called Agora, which is a students-in-stress hotline." ˇˇ
The charity is connected with United Way of America; however, the New Mexico branch is locally governed, said Clint Wells, a board member of United Way CNM.
"We guide all of the policies for this United Way," Wells said. "We pay a small marketing fee and membership fee to United Way of America to be able to use the name and the brand."
Valerie Romero Leggott, co-chairwoman for the UNM United Way Campaign, said she is confident in United Way of Central New Mexico's dedication.
"They have a wonderful history of being reputable," she said.ˇ"And when you say 100 percent of the money goes to the agency you want it to - I mean, not a lot of organizations can say that.ˇPeople take things off the top."
The UNM United Way Campaign has big plans for the future, Leggott said.ˇ
"This year we're combining our efforts with the hospital with the goal of $1 million," she said.
Leggott said there are benefits for students who donate to the UNM United Way Campaign.
"Some of the things that have happened so far is the Utah football game: any people who contributed earlier received two tickets there," she said.
