Archives for Marlo MacKay

Ashley Halliday
Administrative Assistant for ASR, Post-Doctoral Fellow Clerk, Human Resources

How long have you been involved in Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and in what capacity?
I am brand new to Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and am very eager to begin my role in being an HR Employee Campaign Coordinator!

Why is supporting the United Way important to you?
I believe it is important to help other communities in any way possible. Helping to make a difference in someone’s life is a wonderful thing to be a part of!

Why is it important for Dalhousie to support the United Way? 
Dalhousie itself is a small community between all of the staff, faculty members, and students here. It is important to show that our community here at Dalhousie University cares and supports others.

What are you most looking forward to during this year’s campaign? 
Helping to make a difference! Every little bit raised helps to make a difference in someone’s life.

What’s the one thing you wished everyone knew about the United Way? 
Something that not everyone may know is that United Way accepts designations, so you are able to specify where you would like your contribution goes. This is wonderful for people who want their money to go to a specific area needing help!

 

Christina MacNeil
Director of Finance, Dean’s Office, Faculty of Medicine

How long have you been involved in Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and in what capacity?
I first got involved in United Way in 2002 when I joined the Office of External Relations (now Advancement); I was the Area Coordinator for the group until 2004. After a few career moves I re-joined the United Way in 2013 on the Steering Committee with the title of “Gatekeeper.” Basically I collected donations from across campus and recorded them in the United Way portal. This year I am co-leading the Leadership Campaign with Dr. Christine Macy.

Why is supporting the United Way important to you?
Donations to United Way go to the grassroots organizations in Halifax and area. It’s the small yet vibrant community organizations that need philanthropic support so much but do not have their own resources to fundraise at the level required. Whether it’s volunteering at a United Way event — like Living on the Edge — or through an annual donation, one can feel their contribution has a direct impact on the community.

Why is it important for Dalhousie to support the United Way?
Dalhousie is part of the Halifax, Truro and Saint John communities, and one of the larger employers in the region. As such, it has a social responsibility to give back and United Way is an excellent way to do so. Through its Workplace Campaign, Dal faculty, staff and students have opportunities to give and participate. Plus, Dal has a long history with United Way that must be maintained.

What are you most looking forward to during this year’s campaign?
I truly enjoy the opportunity to interact with fellow Dal folk where under normal circumstances I would not be able to. Meeting and working with the Steering Committee, volunteers and donors — as well as the United Way reps — is intrinsically rewarding to me. Taking on this new Leadership challenge is something I am very much looking forward to.

What’s the one thing you wished everyone knew about the United Way?
How much your donation can make a positive impact on someone’s life. A person can even choose to give directly to one of the funded partners and to know that the money will get there.

Erinor Jacob-Levine
Communications Coordinator, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick (DMNB)

How long have you been involved in Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and in what capacity?
Four years – started out helping out and took over coordinating the DMNB campaign in 2013.

Why is supporting the United Way important to you?
The United Way in Saint John identifies areas of the greatest need each year and focuses its contributions to those organizations that will make the greatest impact. For me, it helps target my support of the community to where it is most needed.

Why is it important for Dalhousie to support the United Way?
It’s a great way to help our local communities and engage our faculty and staff.

What are you most looking forward to during this year’s campaign?
We are planning some FUNdraising activities like a Foodie Survivor raffle where people pay $10 to join in and provide a $10 item (like chocolate, jar of nuts, coffee, etc). Each week (usually Friday at noon) we draw a name — this person is eliminated from the final draw. Although if you sign up for the employee deductions, you receive an immunity card to be used once. We start this at the same time the campaign starts. We begin the draws once the campaign ends. The final draw usually takes place at the end of November, just in time for the holiday season! Depending upon how many people participate we will have one or two winners. We’ve done this for the past two years and can’t wait to do it this year!

What’s the one thing you wished everyone knew about the United Way?
They are willing to work with you to get your co-workers engaged through fun activities that can also bring awareness to needs in your community.

 

Monica Baccardax
IT Project Manager, MedIT, Faculty of Medicine

How long have you been involved in Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and in what capacity?
Eight years as Dalhousie University Employee Campaign Recruitment and Training. Years ago I was the Faculty of Medicine’s Area Coordinator.

Why is supporting the United Way important to you?
In some small way, to be a part of the impact that United Way has on the health and well-being of the people in the Halifax communities. Their past support has helped me during my time of need and now I want to give back to the community so others may get the support they need during their challenging time and know there are people who care.

Why is it important for Dalhousie to support the United Way?
Dalhousie University values their relationship with their neighbours and strive to enhance the community around them. I believe they can provide a stronger voice for the importance of serving our neighbours in need.

What are you most looking forward to during this year’s campaign?
Working together with my fellow colleagues who are passionate about helping their communities.

What’s the one thing you wished everyone knew about the United Way?
United Way leads with compassion and provides the tools to helps people to work willingly together for the betterment of themselves and their community. They help people to help themselves so they can lead better lives for themselves and others.

Trisha Aylward
Administrative Assistant, Academic Staff Relations, Human Resources

How long have you been involved in Dalhousie’s United Way campaign and in what capacity?
I joined the campaign in September 2015 in a support role, setting up the committee meetings, organizing events and as a member at large

Why is supporting the United Way important to you? 
United Way is involved with helping so many people and groups throughout Halifax. I love the way they’re not just giving people things, they’re helping people get the tools they need to help themselves.

Why is it important for Dalhousie to support the United Way? 
Dalhousie has the ability to reach so many people to get the word out, and we have the ability to help with something so important and life-changing in a way that is fun and easy. When Dalhousie leads by example, it shows the rest of the city and province what communities are capable of.

What are you most looking forward to during this year’s campaign? 
I’m anxious to see who wins the Turtle, and I’d really like to win the 50/50 draw myself!

What’s the one thing you wished everyone knew about the United Way?
I would like people to know how hardworking the people working with United Way are. They work year-round to raise money, organize events, collaborate with other organizations throughout Halifax — it doesn’t only happen during the campaign.