Staff and students of Red Deer College are excited to see such a generous show of support for this year’s RDC United Way fundraising campaign.

The total raised was just over $42,000, demolishing the 2009 record of $40,001.

It’s also way above what this year’s goal had been set at — $30,500.

“It really shows they are a sharing and giving community,” said Brad Donaldson, vice president of academics at RDC, and chair of the RDC employee United Way campaign.

Donaldson attributes the jump in donations to several things, including a silent auction which was a new addition to this year’s campaign. Also, there was more of a personal touch to canvassing staff this year.

Instead of finding requests for donations in an in-box, for example, staff were approached directly and asked if they would like to support the cause.

As for Donaldson, he really went the distance in helping to encourage further campaign support.

When the campaign was launched, he had promised to, among other possibilities such as not having to wear pants all day, perform as a lounge singer, or serve as someone’s butler if a certain amount had been raised in the employee campaign.

Staff voted on which option they wanted Donaldson to go with, and it turns out he will be serving as butler to Doug Sharp, director of facilities at RDC.

Donaldson laughed that he’s not too worried about what Sharp will have him do, describing Sharp as a gentleman.

Staff say it’s good to see the funds going to the United Way, with its regional impact. “We are so happy to support the United Way because it reaches across Central Alberta,” said Wendy Ouwerkerk, executive assistant to Donaldson, vice president of academics at RDC.

“We really have great donors, and we keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising,” she said.

Meanwhile, the main United Way campaign is moving forward towards its goal of $1.96 million. The campaign kicked off in September.

To date, staff say the campaign is 61% complete. That represents $1.19 million. Last year, the campaign raised $1.9 million and helped 92,000 Central Albertans.

Looking ahead, at the Red Deer Rebels game on Dec. 9 there will be a ‘Socket to ‘Em’ event where United Way volunteers gather up socks for local agencies. Staff say it only takes $25 to buy 10 pairs of socks for someone in need.

Established in 1965, United Way of Central Alberta is a charitable organization working to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action.

United Way supports a wide range of programs and services in Sundre, Rocky Mountain House, Ponoka, Sylvan Lake, Stettler, Lacombe, Bashaw, Red Deer and in the townships in between.

For more information visit www.caunitedway.ca or call 403-343-3900.

editor@reddeerexpress.com