Office of Research Services claims inaugural Laurier Purple and Gold United Way Cup

March 23, 2022

It’s official: the Office of Research Services has been presented Wilfrid Laurier University’s first-ever Purple and Gold United Way Cup.

Laurier President and Vice-Chancellor Deborah MacLatchy, who serves as honorary chair of Laurier’s United Way campaign committee, presented the cup to Charity Parr-Vasquez, assistant vice-president: research and Jonathan Newman, vice-president: research, who accepted on behalf of their team during an in-person celebration held March 16 in Alumni Hall.

The Office of Research Services team earned the cup during Laurier’s 2021 United Way fundraising campaign, which engaged faculty and administrative units at the assistant vice-president level in a friendly fundraising “battle.” The cup was awarded to the team with the most participation in the campaign. 

“I am incredibly proud of the support and generosity that the Office of Research Services has shown for Laurier’s United Way campaign,” says Newman. “When we support United Way, we support our communities so that everyone can thrive.” 

Laurier donors raised more than $91,400 for Brant United Way and United Way Waterloo Region Communities during the month-long campaign held last October and exceeded the university’s fundraising goal for the third straight year. Laurier is a long-time supporter of United Way, holding an annual fundraiser for the last 32 years.   

Funds raised by Laurier donors have helped Brant United Way and United Way Waterloo Region Communities provide basic needs such as food and shelter, mental health supports, and programs to mitigate the ongoing effects of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community organizations and programs that benefit from the generosity of Laurier’s United Way donors include the Sexual Assault Centre of Waterloo Region, Compass Refugee Centre, Family Counselling Centre of Brant, and Brant Food for Thought, among others.