CCBC, thanks for your consideration of support!

On October 5, 2009 CCBC will launch its 2009 United Way of Central Maryland Campaign. CCBC has been very generous to United Way in the past, and I thank you for that. Our contributions make a real difference to many people every single day. They make our community–and often our college–a better place to live and work. In fact, under United Way’s new competitive grant program, several CCBC programs are actually eligible to apply to United Way for supplemental funding.

Again this year we are hoping to give our United Way campaign a more personal touch. As the economic situation has become more strained for the third year in a row, we continue to see an increase in the number of students impacted by personal distresses. The challenges that students face – housing, transportation, books, tuition, etc. – make it increasingly difficult to provide adequate emergency assistance to them from our various available support funds. I encourage you to commit at least a portion of your pledge to our CCBC Emergency Fund for students to be established within the CCBC Foundation. You would do this by designating the CCBC Foundation as the targeted recipient of your gift.

Let me encourage you to respond positively when approached by one of our CCBC colleagues who have volunteered to work on our campaign this year. I invite you to join me in making a leadership gift, but please consider giving whatever you can. As an incentive, when you make a donation, you become eligible to receive an array of gifts in return. Just ask the three CCBC’ers who won a United Way parking space last year if that perk is not worth the donation. And I have particularly enjoyed meeting many of you in the delightful luncheons at fancy restaurants that I have had with three United Way winners annually.

Ms. Cathy Birkelien, our campaign chair, will soon forward information about the campaign and the list of donor incentives to the college community. She will also detail information about how to make this year’s pledge, either via the donation form or online. If you would like to find out more about how your donation will help the many agencies United Way serves, please visit the UWCM Web site at http://www.uwcm.org. You can also contact Cathy Birkelien (ext. 3335) or one of the campus campaign volunteers who will be contacting you next week with more information. They can assist you in completing your pledge form or making an online donation.

Last year, the CCBC family was successful in raising more than $29,000 for the United Way of Central Maryland. This year we would like to set a goal of $30,000. Please consider helping us support CCBC students while we support United Way.

Kindest regards,


Sandra L. Kurtinitis, Ph.D.
President