Combined Campaign drive kicks off today

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UNL is aiming to make a big, positive impact by participating in the Lincoln-area Combined Campaign for Health and Human Services, Nov. 1-18. The theme is “Big Impact — Go Big, Give Big.”

Kick-off events are planned for 8:30 to 10 a.m., Nov. 1 in the East Union and 8:30 to 10 a.m., Nov. 2 in the Nebraska Union.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman, and Husker baseball head coach Darin Erstad, are co-chairs for UNL’s 2011 Combined Campaign.

“Each fall, as members of this university, we roll up our collective sleeves and pitch in to help the greater community through our Combined Campaign for Health and Human Services,” said Erstad. “This year in particular, as we make our debut in the Big Ten Conference, we have a unique opportunity to show the strength of this university’s ability to transform lives and build a stronger community.”

The UNL goal is to raise $403,000 this year. A second goal is to increase the number of campus givers.

“That means every gift, no matter the size, counts in making UNL, and this campaign, successful,” Perlman said. “We have set, and met, high achievement goals for this campaign in past years, and I have the confidence that we can succeed this year.”

Information about the campaign will be delivered to campus mailboxes. This year, pledges can be made online or by turning in pledge cards.

To date, UNL employees have contributed more than $6 million to the campaign.

Organizations supported by the campaign are the United Way, supporting 45 agencies; Community Health Charities of Nebraska, supporting 19 agencies; and the Community Services Fund, supporting 33 agencies. Employees may give to any specific agency or to the three general funds, and a variety of giving options exist.