A lunch hosted by the Campus Campaign for United Way on Thursday, March 30, will honour its long-time chair, the late professor emeritus Datta Pillay. The event is open by donation to students, staff, and faculty and promises chili with the fixings: sour cream, green onions, shredded cheese, and a roll and butter.

Lunch will be served in the Student Courtyard between Dillon and Memorial halls from 11:30 a.m. while supplies last. In the event of rain, it will relocate to the student centre.

Volunteers with the campaign will be on hand to process donations in support of the United Way and its programs, like “Summer Eats for Kids,” which provides children in Windsor-Essex with nutritious snacks, fruits, and vegetables during the summer months when school nutrition programs are closed.

“This kind of community help was important to Datta Pillay, who spearheaded the University’s efforts on behalf of United Way for 40 years,” says campaign co-chair Vincent Georgie, UWindsor associate vice-president, external. “Thursday’s chili lunch is our way to honour him and his advocacy for the United Way’s work to support kids in Windsor-Essex from cradle to career.”

The weeklong fundraising campaign will continue with volunteers staffing a table in the student centre commons from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through March 30 to accept donations and sell raffle tickets toward prizes of Apple AirPod headphones, personal training sessions at the Toldo Lancer Centre, and a package of UWindsor swag. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20, with payment accepted by cash or card.

Buying a campaign T-shirt or ball cap for $20 will earn students or employees a ballot in a draw for an eight-month campus parking pass.

Learn more on the Campus Campaign for United Way website.