Baylor University Joins United Way to Strengthen our Community

To help address the growing needs in our community, Baylor University has once again  joined United Way of Waco-McLennan County in the "United Way Workplace Campaign," which runs until Nov. 20. The University engages with United Way as part of its Solid Gold Neighbor initiative — Baylor's intentional and purposeful community engagement initiative that partners with leaders and organizations that strongly believe in the potential of our city.

"Anyone can be a neighbor, but Baylor strives to be an ideal neighbor – one that provides support, listens to the needs of our community members, and steps in to consistently help," Director of Community Relations Holly Burchett said.

The United Way supports many nonprofit initiatives in McLennan County which work collaboratively to improve the Waco community. Individual faculty and staff can support United Way in a variety of ways:

• By Payroll Deduction using the online form
• By Payroll Deduction, cash, or personal check using the paper pledge form

Each of these options allows you to choose your method of contribution:

• A monthly gift equal to an hour's pay (bi-weekly staff) or 1% (salaried faculty/staff) or
• A monthly gift in the dollar amount you choose, for the number of months you choose or...
• A one-time gift

"It's important for faculty and staff to participate in the United Way Campaign because of the impact these dollars make on our local community," Associate Vice President, External Affairs Jeremy Vickers said, "Campaign dollars raised by Baylor and other employers fund programs, training and nonprofits that deliver services to families in need within the Greater Waco Community. As a large employer who is blessed to have amazing employees, it is our responsibility to give back and this is one such way."

United Way has many areas of impact in McLennan County. From education to safety-net services, United Way Waco's mission is to create a strong, healthy environment for individuals and families in the Waco community.

With the help of faculty and staff, the University hopes to achieve its goals of participation across all divisions, schools and colleges and having at least 200 employees participate in the campaign at the $500 per year level.

"We want to make a significant impact in 2020 – to encourage our faculty and staff to play an active role in helping our community members when we need it the very most. By allocating monthly giving, we can be a part of a larger movement to help our community thrive." Burchett said.

To add incentive, faculty and staff who participate in the campaign by giving either 1% of your salary per month for 12 months or 1 hour of pay per month for 12 months will receive recognition from Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. and have their names entered in a drawing for premium parking on campus or Robinson Tower.

"As Christ has called us to be servants first, we believe one way that this calling can be carried out is to take care of our neighbors. The Solid Gold Neighbor initiative is our institutional community engagement strategy whereby we support and enhance the collective efforts of bringing Baylor and Waco together for social and economic progress." Vickers said.

For more information about the United Way Workplace Campaign, visit: https://www.baylor.edu/hr/unitedway/