October 10, 2013

Dear Members of the Notre Dame Family:

Notre Dame has always embraced growth and change while remaining true to its core values and traditions. The University’s move into the Atlantic Coast Conference, in all sports except football and hockey, will strengthen our existing bonds with the United Way. The ACC and its member institutions have enjoyed a sixteen-year partnership that showcases the involvement of student-athletes in service to their communities through the United Way, and we are proud to further that tradition.

As the largest workforce in the county, our contributions make a positive difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Thank you for your collective generosity to the United Way of St. Joseph County, which plays a central role in efforts to improve education, health, and financial stability in the region. Today, I ask you to support Notre Dame’s United Way campaign, which has a goal of raising $300,000 for our local community.

Thanks to your generosity last year, more than 90,000 people were helped by United Way Agency Programs. Among the many outreach initiatives in action, more than 300,000 meals were served, and over 700 families received heating bill support. United Way’s local partners are engaged in everything from increasing graduation rates and after-school tutoring to providing proactive health care. Your support will help the United Way’s local partners meet basic needs through a wide range of worthy programs. Donors can direct their contribution to one of four broad program areas or directly to one of United Way’s partners. More information can be found online at http://unitedway.nd.edu.

One part of the United Way campaign relates more directly to our University community. Notre Dame’s Employee Compassion Fund receives five percent of your total donation and helps University colleagues who face an emergency need. 

 This fund has helped alleviate challenges during past employee emergencies such as providing funeral expenses and aid following a fire.

I ask you to consider contributing generously when the 2013 United Way campaign kicks off.  Please join Notre Dame in helping the United Way reach new heights this year.

                                                                        In Notre Dame,

                                                                        Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.

                                                                        President