Christmas spirit shines year round with UOW Cares

Christmas may be the time for giving, but UOW staff are generous all year round, with 2010 the most successful year yet for UOW’s workplace giving program

Now in it’s third year, UOW Cares has raised over $163,000 with $63,000 raised just this year.

UOW Cares allows staff to give regular, pre-tax donations to their choice of 10 charities, including an equity scholarship fund for students studying at UOW.

Looking at the figures from this year, UOW’s Office of Community and Partnerships said UOW staff have a much higher participation rate than the average workplace.

More than 16 per cent of staff on campus donate through the giving program, and according to a Haystac Public Affairs report the Australian average is around 2.9 per cent.

ITC Ltd staff member Rachel Foster is one of many UOW Cares champions across campus, and said the system makes it easy for her to feel like she’s making a contribution.

“Payroll deductions make it so easy for me to feel like I'm giving something back, I don't even notice the small amounts from each pay, but over a year I feel like I'm really making a substantial contribution,” Ms Foster said.

Also a champion, UniCentre Marketing Coordinator Victoria Dimise said contributing a small amount every week means her actions have a big impact over time.

"UOW Cares means I can give back to others, knowing that my simple actions are impacting other individuals and organisations on a larger scale,” Ms Dimise said.

“UOW is a place that I have both studied and worked at so contributing to UOW Cares is a fantastic, valuable cause that I can relate to.”

UOW Cares also has a dedicated Christmas giving program, where staff can buy “vouchers” of $20 or more that go toward their charity of choice. They then receive a gift card that can be given in place of a present.

Last year UOW’s Christmas giving program raised an extra $1700 for UOW Cares.

More information about UOW Cares and Christmas giving.

Last reviewed: 21 December, 2010