With the Valentine’s Day finale of the Dartmouth United Way campaign less than a month away, President Phil Hanlon ’77 and his wife, Gail Gentes, have committed to contributing $25 for every United Way pledge made from Jan. 15 until the end of the campaign.
Gentes and Executive Vice President Richard Mills, who co-chair Dartmouth’s United Way effort, say the College has shown its deep commitment to serving others by raising $252,000 so far toward this year’s $320,000 goal.
President Hanlon and Gentes say their match is a way of saying thank you. “Our match is meant to show that every contribution, no matter what size, helps those less fortunate in the Upper Valley,” Hanlon says.
“We hope our contribution demonstrates our commitment to the Upper Valley community while helping to create a sense of excitement as we head toward the finish line,” says Gentes.
This year’s campaign has already inspired more than 200 new donors, twice the campaign target for bringing in people who have never pledged before, says Mills. Also this year, Dartmouth undergraduates have joined the effort with the Order of Omega, a sorority and fraternity honor society, sponsoring a number of events.
Gentes and Mills also thanked the local businesses that have contributed raffle prizes to the campaign. The last regular raffle will be held on Jan. 23, with the grand prize drawing set for Jan. 30. Anyone who pledged before Jan. 30, even those who have already won regular raffle prizes, is eligible to win the grand prize. People who pledge again double their chances of winning, and their new donation will be matched by Hanlon and Gentes.
The College has extended Dartmouth’s online donation option for payroll deductions until Feb. 14. Online pledges received before the Jan. 30 drawing are also eligible for the grand prize raffle, including three nights’ lodging at a Dartmouth Outing Club cabin, one night’s stay at Six South Street Hotel, a gift certificate to PINE for $100, or a season pass to Whaleback.
