Pace Paw Print

The annual fundraising campaign for Earth Share and United Way began at Pace last Friday at a kick-off breakfast on the NYC and Pleasantville campuses.

The kick-off breakfast was meant to provide information to potential volunteers to help with planning and working fundraising events to raise money for both of the organizations. The major fundraising event is an auction to be held at both campuses.

Victoria Gochenour, Employee Relations Manager at the NYC campus, said Earth Share was an organization that helps preserve natural resources and conserve parks, lakes and other natural sights. The official website for Earth Share states its mission is "to engage individuals and organizations in creating a healthy and sustainable environment."

"[It's] a safeguard against our environment," Gochenour added.

United way works to provide assistance to those who are in poverty or homeless by "gather[ing] money, goods and volunteer services from all types of donors and distributes this tangible support to the strongest local projects and charitable organizations," according to their official website.

"Without these services, individuals, many including our own employees and students, would be unable to overcome issues that challenge their ability to work or study," said the website for the Pace campaign.

Pace combined these two organizations in to one campaign due to the time and effort it takes to arrange fundraisers for each, according to Gochenour.

All proceeds for the auction, which will take place on May 1 in NYC and somewhere around that time at the Pleasantville campus, will be split down the middle and donated to each organization.

Gochenour said the event will feature a lunch, followed by the auction. The auction will be lead by Sharon Meadows, a professor for the School of Education, who is also a professional auctioneer.

Part of the planning for the auction includes asking corporations to donate items. Gouchenour said examples of items might be things such as gift certificates to restaurants or an iPod.

The next fundraiser in the campaign is a bake sale to be held March 24. All proceeds will also go directly to the organizations. Volunteers are needed to advertise, provide baked goods and work shirts.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the campaign or volunteer can contact Gouchenour, or Betsy Garti, the Employee Relations Manager in Pleasantville.

Traditionally, she said that volunteers had mostly been staff and faculty members but that student involvement is welcome.

"We would greatly appreciate any participation," she said.

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