Faculty/Staff Emergency Fund seeks donations
“I would like to thank the Faculty Staff Emergency Fund for helping me out in a very difficult time of need. I was recently in a car accident and had to take a medical leave from my job. The driver that hit me was uninsured, leaving me with no money to pay for my car repairs and the bills that were stacking up at home. I heard about the fund through a co-worker and went to see if I could get help. I want to express my gratitude for all of your help. Thank you.” House fires, catastrophic illnesses, spouses with addictions. These are just a few of the crises that could befall nearly anyone and wreak havoc on the family budget. And the Faculty/Staff Emergency Fund, a source of confidential, financial assistance, is there to help UI employees on the Urbana campus and their families during times of hardship. “If someone is down on their luck, the fund helps them get back up,” said Herman Krier, a professor of mechanical engineering, who has served on the volunteer committee that manages the fund since shortly after the fund’s inception in 1992. Since the fund began, more than 400 UI employees have received assistance from it. The fund is supported entirely by donations from faculty and staff members whose generosity has helped colleagues with rent or mortgage payments, utility or medical bills, or helped them buy medicine, groceries or clothing. Applications, which are kept confidential, are screened by the Faculty/Staff Assistance Program and reviewed and approved by an anonymous committee. Volunteers are encouraging donations during the program’s annual fund drive, which will start later this month. One hundred percent of the money donated goes to help employees who need it, Krier said. “Donations received during last year’s fund drive have been spent helping employees in need, and each year it is important to replenish the fund,” said Kathy Seybert, co-chair of the grassroots committee. “This is our special chance to help our Urbana campus colleagues during financial crises.” Contributions of any amount are encouraged and may be made in cash, by check or through payroll deduction. Employees who donated by payroll deduction last year and wish to continue donating in this manner may need to renew their pledges for this year. Checks should be made payable to UIF/UIUC Faculty/Staff Emergency Fund and mailed to the UI Foundation, 400 Harker Hall, MC-386. A brochure about the program and payroll deduction cards will be sent by campus mail to each employee later this month. Additional information is available from Donna Jessee (244-3618) or from Kathy Seybert (265-0985), co-chairs of the committee and this year’s fund drive.
Eligible faculty and staff members may apply for emergency assistance in the form of small grants at any time. All contacts are confidential and assessments are free. If you or someone you know might be eligible for assistance, call 244-5312 or write to Faculty/Staff Assistance Program, 1011 W. University Ave., MC-255.
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