Please join me in supporting the 2008 UCSD United Way/CHAD Campaign.

This year's theme is "U Can Spark Dreams: Imagine the Impact of Your Support." This theme is appropriate because each of us can help our fellow San Diego community members by contributing to our Campaign. I am a strong supporter of this cause, and I urge you to join your UC San Diego colleagues as we help individuals and families in the San Diego community, many of whom have a desperate need for the services offered by the United Way/CHAD agencies. Supporting United Way/CHAD through the UCSD Campaign offers the opportunity to make an important difference in the lives of our neighbors.

Your gift this year will help to support community programs that will:

* promote financial stability and independence
* provide outreach to the homeless and focus on prevention
* stop child abuse and neglect.

In addition, United Way of San Diego County will administer two funds (local and regional) to assist with the long-term recovery efforts for those affected by the San Diego Wildfires in October 2007. One hundred percent of the donations to the two funds will assist people with critical needs including counseling, medical services, and vouchers for rent and utility assistance in San Diego County and throughout Southern California. You can find and use the designation codes for both funds as you make your pledge online through the UCSD web-based pledge application site at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/unitedway.

The UCSD United Way/CHAD Campaign will commence on Wednesday, February 20, and will run through Tuesday, April 15, 2008. You also may contribute beyond that date. I urge you to visit the UCSD United Way/CHAD Campaign website at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/unitedway. You can make your pledge using the UCSD web-based pledge application. The instructions and application package along with a list of UCSD recipient agencies can be found on this website. Paper-based pledge form materials will be mailed to those individuals who do not have access to the web-based form through a single sign-on process. The designation codes for the two San Diego Wildfires funds will also be included with the campus mailing of the paper-based pledge form materials. Please request a form from your Department Coordinator if you prefer to use a paper-based pledge form. Your department coordinator's contact information can be found at: http://blink.ucsd.edu/go/unitedwaycoordinators.

I am proud of UC San Diego's prior campaign successes, and I applaud those of you who have volunteered your time, energy and financial resources to this cause. For this year's Campaign to succeed, each of us must become involved and act with our heart's compassion.

Questions about the Campaign may be directed to the Campaign Co-chairs, Barry Niman, nimanb@ucsd.edu x46743, or Tonia Snee, tsnee@ucsd.edu x40286.

On behalf of the many people who will benefit from your contributions, I thank you for your continued support.

Marye Anne Fox Chancellor