Community Giving effort shatters goal
The final tally for the 2004 Community Giving Campaign is in, and it shows employees at Vanderbilt dug deeper than ever to raise $897,505, which far surpasses the original goal of $810,000.
“The 2004 Campaign was an incredible success. The volunteer coordinators' untiring efforts and the fact that our Vanderbilt internal community is genuinely concerned about the state of our community were the two main factors,” said Laurie McPeak, director of development for internal campaigns. “We thought we had reached our maximum in December, but over the holidays we continued to have faculty and staff members contribute, bringing us to this record year total,” she said. Bill Rochford, director of client and community relations at VUMC and chair of the campaign steering committee, said he is proud of the efforts of the committee and department coordinators. “This is a new record for the Vanderbilt Community Giving Campaign,” he said.
Kevin Myatt, associate vice chancellor and chief Human Resources officer, chaired the 2004 Community Giving Campaign. He said Vanderbilt employees should be congratulated for reaching well beyond the Campaign target to meet the needs of people in Middle Tennessee.
“Every year we join together to go a step further and reach out to make the communities we live in healthier and more compassionate. All of us at Vanderbilt have jobs that help to build better lives for the people around us, whether through education, healing or service,” said Myatt.
The money raised will benefit hundreds of agencies in Nashville that belong to one of the three federations designated by Vanderbilt's campaign: The United Way of Metropolitan Nashville; Community Shares; and Community Health Charities of Tennessee.
This campaign marked the first time in 30 years the fund-raising effort was a joint endeavor between the Medical Center and the University. “Working together we have been able to make a remarkable impact,” said Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, Harry Jacobson, M.D. “The money contributed will affect the lives of a million people in our community, and much of that money will come back to us to benefit the lives of our colleagues here at Vanderbilt in their own times of need.”
University Chancellor Gordon Gee said every member of the Vanderbilt family should be proud of this year's Community Giving Campaign. “By giving selflessly and generously, Vanderbilt faculty and staff will help improve the lives of our fellow citizens, especially the least fortunate among us. I want to thank Kevin Myatt, who chaired this record-breaking campaign, and the hundreds of volunteers who made it all possible. The results are a testament to your dedication and passion for our mission of public service,” said Gee.
If you missed the deadline for the Community Giving Campaign, it's never too late to give. Find out how you can get involved through the campaign web site at: www.vanderbilt.edu/community_giving.