‘Tis the season to be… generous.  

There’s something about December, a time of year when many cultures celebrate significant holidays and take time to think of others, that inspires us to want to help. 

That giving spirit takes many forms at UFV this time of year, and the latest opportunity is to support the United Way. Our workplace United Way giving campaign kicks runs through Dec 31. 

You can support the United Way through a one-time commitment or set up ongoing giving through payroll deductions. The United Way utilizes donations to create positive change with a focus on children and youth, community, and food security. The organization serves over four million people, supporting the development of healthy, caring, and inclusive communities by strengthening vital connections for people in need. 

All UFV donations to United Way BC stay 100 per cent local in the Fraser Valley. 

“The amazing generosity of the UFV community clearly demonstrates the university’s commitment to engaging with our community, and working towards a great province for all,” says Susan Mide Kiss, UFV Vice-President, Community Engagement. “We have partnered with United Way BC for many years and we’re proud to support an organization that shares UFV’s desire to help people and make a difference where we live.” 

Pledges for payroll deduction must be submitted no later than Dec 31 to begin with the first pay period in January. The pledge form can be accessed at UFV United Way.   

UFV has been supporting the United Way through employee campaigns for more than 35 years.
 

Plasma playoffs 

Another way to demonstrate our generous spirit is to give blood. UFV is partnering with Canadian Blood Services to compete in the UFV Plasma Playoffs competition. The goal is to improve or save the lives of Canadian patients by donating plasma from Nov 4 – Dec 14.  The winning team will be awarded a trophy and the title of UFV Plasma Playoff champions. 

There are four UFV teams competing: Alumni, FSA, Administration, and Students/Next Generation. 

Plasma donors make all the difference. The plasma collected in the Abbotsford donor centre alone is manufactured into 50 different medications which are distributed to 730 hospitals and clinics across Canada. 

Donating only takes an hour of your time but can be a lifesaving gift in someone’s life.

Join a team today!

 

Safety and Security clothing drive

UFV’s Safety and Security team is running its fifth annual clothing drive. New socks, gloves, hats,  underwear, and gently used coats can be dropped off at the Security offices (B112 in Abbotsford, A1115 in Chilliwack) or at OReg or Student Services in Abbotsford (B211 or B214), or the Trades and Technical Centre office in Chilliwack.

The items collected are given to a local security company that distributes them directly to people in need on the streets of a Fraser Valley community.  

 

Thank Your Instructor initiative 

Do you have an instructor who has made a positive impact on your learning this semester (or even before)? Do you want to let them know?

Thank Your Instructor is a Teaching and Learning Centre initiative that gives students an opportunity to thank an instructor who has positively impacted them. 

You can thank your instructor here.

 

Abbotsford Canucks — teddy bear toss  

Every year, our Abbotsford campus neighbours collect toys for children via an on-ice teddy bear toss. The teddy bear toss is a holiday season tradition in many hockey communities, including the Abbotsford Canucks! 

Fans will be encouraged to bring new teddy bears to the game on Sat, Dec 14 at 7 pm to throw onto the ice when the Canucks score their first goal. 

It’s a celebration unlike any other! All teddy bears collected are donated to the Archway Toys for Tots program, benefiting underprivileged children in the Fraser Valley. 

Get tickets here and don’t forget a new stuffed animal.

 

Angel Tree program brightens holiday season 

UFV’s Student Union Society runs a special Angel Tree program every year to ensure that children within the UFV community get to enjoy the holiday season and receive gifts.  By sponsoring an angel, individuals or departments give back to our community and brighten the holiday season.  

This initiative invites current UFV students who are legal guardians of children under 16 to apply for their children to become angels. Community members and UFV affiliates can then sponsor these angels by providing gifts. The program fosters a sense of community and support, bringing joy to both the children and their families during the festive season. 

This year 186 angels are being supported by 118 UFV community members or teams, over the lifetime of the program there have been 600+ angels sponsored. Thanks to all who took the time to think of vulnerable members of the UFV community. Angel sponsors have taken care of every child whose caregiver applied to the Angel Tree program this year. 

 

Giving Tuesday 

The UFV community came through for our students again on Giving Tuesday on Dec 3, boosting the Student Support and Resilience Fund with a total of $4,860 in donations. These funds directly support students facing urgent challenges such as food insecurity, housing instability, and other crises. UFV also received a Giving Tuesday donation of $10,000 for the UFV-SUS Food Bank and additional gifts supporting student awards, totaling $17,660.
 

UFV Cascades Toy Drive 

The UFV Cascades made the season brighter for children who are in hospital over the holidays, bringing toys collected at games to Abbotsford Regional Hospital for distribution to children in the pediatric ward. 

Thanks to the generous spirit of the UFV community, we are engaging learners, transforming lives and building community — 50 years forward.