The 2007 Charitable Giving Campaign continues until Oct. 12. This year's campaign, chaired by Director of Athletics Cary Groth and Men's Basketball Head Coach Mark Fox, has set a goal of $70,000 in donations.

University President Milton Glick has advocated generous participation in the campaign.

"The faculty and staff of the University of Nevada, Reno are proud to be supporters of this year's drive," he said. "We are grateful for the opportunity this effort gives us to support our community. I believe the health and well-being of the community and the University are inextricably tied. The Charitable Giving Campaign provides one effective way for the University to do its share to enhance the quality of life in northern Nevada."

At the grand-prize drawing on Oct. 19, one employee who donates $10 or more will win two tickets to the Nov. 2 New Mexico State football game plus tickets for the Southwest Airlines team charter and one night's hotel stay.

Through the convenience of payroll deduction, University faculty and staff can give back to the community. Donations benefit the United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra and Community Health Charities.

Agencies affiliated with United Way act as partners in fulfilling the university's historic land-grant mission of community outreach. Their programs also help meet the needs of University employees, students, family and members of the University community. United Way programs provide support services to students; hire students; and help faculty members prepare and win grants.

To cite just a few examples of United Way's augmenting of University services:

• Family Counseling Services provides counseling for substance-abuse through the University's Employee Assistance Services.
• The Committee to Aid Abused Women educates students on domestic violence and provides support groups, shelter and a 24-hour crisis line that helps about 100 students every year.
• The United Way supports the YMCA, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts and other youth programs tied to the University's youth services.

The United Way-managed Nevada 211 is one of the lesser known but most valuable community-outreach services. It gives callers from across the state telephone access to free information about critical health and human services. Nevada 211 also links nearly 100 of the University's organizations to the community.

Community Health Charities of Nevada comprises nearly 50 health organizations that receive funds from the campaign. The University has direct partnerships with agencies such as the AMC Cancer Research Center, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation.

Giving back through the Charitable Giving Campaign also recognizes the support that the School of Medicine receives from the American Heart Association, the American Lung Association and other Community Health Charities member organizations.

Giving helps all of Nevada

While the University organizes the Charitable Giving Campaign, donations can benefit communities and organizations all across Nevada. An employee may choose to designate his or her donation for a charity that serves the employee's home county, since the University has a Cooperative Extension office in every county.