It’s not too late to ‘Live United’

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Elizabeth Lamark/RIT Production Services

Kathy Estabrooks with her daughter Julie Covey.

Hope is a four-letter word that many families use after receiving help from a United Way-supported program, and RIT campaign officials hope the campus community will rally together by contributing to this year’s effort.

“Once again, we’re asking for your help in reaching our goal—so we can continue to be a model for other collegiate campaigns and set the example for our students of the importance and value of contributing to one’s community,” says RIT President Bill Destler.

RIT’s community spirit has been a huge factor for two staff members and their families whose faces you’ve seen on posters around campus during the 2013 campaign. Kathy Estabrooks and her daughter Julie Covey—who was born premature with cerebral palsy and learning development problems—use the ongoing services provided by Arc of Livingston County. And Debra Dewey, whose father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, was able to secure comfort care services “where he could die with dignity” at a facility in Victor called Serenity House.

Their personal journeys, although on opposite sides of the spectrum, are equally poignant and courageous, and like a good neighbor, United Way of Greater Rochester responds to every S.O.S. in the community—whether it’s a house fire, drug dependencies, adoptions, daycare, health issues, hospice care, counseling or family support.

The RIT community has a history of being remarkably generous and electronic pledging (e-Pledge) is being offered through April to employees as well as retirees. Please use the “Make a Pledge” secured link for employees on the home page of RIT United Way campaign website. Each Key Captain will have blank pledge forms for use by employees with limited access to a computer. For additional questions, contact RIT United Way Campaign Coordinator Lynn Rowoth at 585-475-7408 or lcrgrl@rit.edu.