February 3, 2011

Giving campaign raises nearly $1 million

Giving campaign raises nearly $1 million

Over just the past 10 years, Vanderbilt’s Community Giving Campaign has raised more than $10 million for local charities.

During the 2010 “Give to the Community that Gives to Us” campaign, faculty and staff gave $917,166.12 to help address some of our toughest challenges — hunger, domestic violence, health, education, environment, housing and job training.

“We are making a huge impact on the community,” said Gail Carr Williams, co-chair of the Community Giving Campaign. “We are changing our community for the better and we are very thankful for every penny that was raised toward our goal of supporting our local communities.

“Vanderbilt continues to meet the needs of the people in Middle Tennessee. Even in a tough economy, Vanderbilt employees continue to give. It has been a great challenge, but I am proud of our colleagues and am humbled by the generosity displayed by so many.”

Williams, associate director of Community Engagement, Community Neighborhoods and Government Relations, along with her husband, David Williams II, vice chancellor for University Affairs and Athletics, General Counsel and secretary of the University, have chaired the campaign for two years.

They were joined by Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, and his wife, Melinda.
Williams said she was thankful for the 460 department coordinators who are the core of the campaign and are the driving force behind the successful workplace giving effort.