In the eight years since the Annual Giving Program switched to a face-to-face model for soliciting support from UWindsor employees, it has found 378 new donors and raised about $2.4 million, president Alan Wildeman told a luncheon Tuesday for staff, faculty and retirees who contribute to the campus campaign.

“You’re having a huge impact,” Dr. Wildeman said.

Last year saw a record average gift of $540 for a total of almost $340,000.

Guest speaker Denny Young (BA 1977), co-ordinator of the Fundraising Management Ontario Graduate Certificate Program at Humber College, said his experiences as a student at the University of Windsor, helped to shape his approach to community.

“We all have something in our backgrounds that introduced us to the concept of philanthropy,” he said. “We have become so cynical about what people tell us; their actions speak much louder.”

Finance clerk Miguel Pebenito inherited his canvass from volunteer Janice Facecchia, who retired in December. The two combined for the highest participation rate, 82.4 per cent of employees in human resources and finance.

“I just followed Janice’s lead on this one,” Pebenito said. “I have a few ideas for next year so we can keep improving on our record.”

Athletics and Recreation Services boasted of a 100 per cent donation rate among its staff, topping the category for single departments. Both areas will enjoy a catered coffee break to celebrate their successes.

The luncheon marked a closure for Annual Giving Program co-ordinator Shae Harasym, who is taking up an appointment Thursday as major gift officer in the Faculty of Law.