Michael Shakespeare, associate vice-president of finance and operations at UBC Okanagan, will jump into Lake Okanagan on January 19, 2015, if the campus reaches its $57,000 United Way campaign goal before campaign end on December 31, 2014.
Since October 6 the campus has raised $34,000, approximately $20,000 shy of its $57,000 goal.
Shakespeare says he hopes the polar dip will bring attention to the incredible work that United Way and its 39 funded partners accomplish in the Okanagan community.
“UBC Okanagan, its faculty, staff and students, invest each year in the hopes of making a lasting difference in our community,” says Shakespeare.
The announcement continues Shakespeare’s long history with the United Way campaign. In previous years Shakespeare has offered a much sought-after UBC parking pass for a draw amongst the campus’ United Way faculty and staff contributors.
Shelley Gilmore, Executive Director of the United Way of Central and South Okanagan Similkameen, says she is thrilled to hear of Shakespeare’s announcement.
“It is innovative fundraising efforts like this that will make the difference in our local office reaching its goal of $1.5 million,” says Gilmore.
United Way CSO’s campaign kicked off in September with the goal of $1.5 million. With two months left, the fundraising thermometer has yet to reach the half-way mark.
For more information about the UBC United Way campaign visit:
http://unitedway.ok.ubc.ca/
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