The holidays are nearly here, but many U-M employees got a head start on the season of giving through the 2004 Washtenaw United Way Campaign. As the campaign enters its final week, numerous examples of generosity have appeared across campus.

For instance, an employee who wished to remain anonymous sent a donation of more than $500, along with a personal note.

“I was unemployed for 13 months before I found a job here and I had [more than] $30,000 in unforeseen medical bills during that time. I’m sorry I can’t donate more,” she wrote. “This is the amount of the raise I just received. Someone else can use it more than I can now that I have a job.”

Richard Bole, an MBA and master of science student, had a rewarding experience as co-chair of the Community Day for the Corporate Environment Management Program. Bole coordinated with United Way for the Community Day events, which took place at the Domestic Violence Project Inc./SAFE House.

“We immediately got our hands dirty, and we got the whole place painted,” Bole says. “It was great to learn about this particular charity and what an amazing thing it is. I also felt a strong sense of purpose since it is in my community.”

In addition to giving their time and money to the campaign, many employees are discovering that United Way can benefit their own families through common agencies such as the Salvation Army, American Red Cross and the Ann Arbor Community Center.

United Way agencies benefit the entire Ann Arbor community in many ways, as local residents Raymond and Evelyne Laurin discovered. The Laurins recently shared their story with United Way, beginning when Evelyne was diagnosed with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG) in 2002.

Her diagnosis began with a case of blurred vision, but she soon realized this muscle-weakening disease had been affecting her body’s voluntary muscles for many years.

Despite the limitations MG brings, the Laurins have learned to live a full and happy life. They participate in support group meetings of the Myasthenia Gravis Association, a United Way-funded agency, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

“I try to arm myself with information to become my own health advocate,” she says. “Knowing others who are going through the same thing makes all the difference in the world. MG is an obscure disease and often misdiagnosed. Many people are unaware of what it does to one’s physical well-being and everyday life.”

Thanks to donations to the Washtenaw United Way, the Myasthenia Gravis Association has helped more than 700 patients like the Laurins each year.

Stories like these are sure to touch the community throughout the year, say those involved with U-M’s United Way campaign. If employees still want to give, it’s not too late. Information about the campaign, service providers and a downloadable pledge form are at http://www.umich.edu/~govrel/uway/.

Questions about the forms, the campaign, the United Way and more can be directed to uwquestions@umich.edu. Completed pledge forms should be returned via campus mail before Nov. 19 to 6008 Fleming Building, campus zip 1340.