Law School Generously Supports Community Fund Drive

Evan Johnson, Peju Solarin, and Angela Hedlund prepare pancakes.

The Law School community raised $29,438 for the University of Minnesota's 2007 Community Fund Drive, which overall raised $1,160,149 for charities across Minnesota. With contributions from 56.63% of faculty and staff, the Law School received second place for participation among units of 100 employees or more.

http://www1.umn.edu/cfd/departmental/awards.html

Every fall, the University teams up with respected organizations supporting social services, education, arts, and health to facilitate faculty and staff giving through the Community Fund Drive. Via checks or online payroll deductions, faculty and staff contribute to a wide variety of worthy charities.

On October 3, the Law School's Pancake Kickoff, part of the University-wide kickoff effort, offered faculty and staff an opportunity to enjoy pancakes and delicious jam and syrup from Feld Farms while learning about the Community Fund Drive. Co-Dean Guy-Uriel Charles presented an inspiring message, and Assistant Director of the Minnesota Environmental Fund Pam Weier described the charities.

Kickoff attendees had a chance to enter a raffle to win gift certificates, a cake from the kitchen of Career & Professional Development Center Director Susan Gainen, and other unique prizes.

Dean Guy-Uriel Charles presented an inspiring message at the Pancake Kickoff.

Throughout October, the Law School and the University held weekly prize drawings for faculty and staff who contributed pledges. Also, the Law School Community Fund Drive team visited faculty and staff offices, bringing treats and answers to any questions.

The Law School’s activities wrapped up with the fall festival, a fundraising event that included snacks and cider, a bake sale, temporary tattoos, massages, a silent auction, knitting demonstrations, and the opportunity to dunk Law School administrators. Dean Charles followed through on his promise to sit in a dunk tank if Law School participation in the fund drive reached 50%.

Co-Deans Charles and Fred Morrison are grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of the 2007 Community Fund Drive. Numerous enthusiastic members of the Law School community provided time, goods, and services during the kickoff, weekly prize drawings, and fall festival.

Faculty and staff enjoy pancakes while learning about the Community Fund Drive.

Special thanks go to the Law School's Community Fund Drive team: Chief of Staff to the Deans Debbie Gallenberg, Law Library Assistant Angela Hedlund, Alumni Relations & Annual Giving Program Officer Evan Johnson, and Institute on Crime and Public Policy Associate Editor Peju Solarin.

Among the charities benefiting from the 2007 drive are Community Health Charities of Minnesota, Community Shares of Minnesota (formerly the Community Solutions Fund), Greater Twin Cities United Way, Minnesota Environmental Fund, Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, United Arts, and United Negro College Fund.