A Legacy of Giving with United Way BC
When Dr. Jacqueline Holler joined the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) 22 years ago, she didn’t expect a simple form in her mailbox to spark a lifelong commitment to giving. But that’s exactly what happened!
For many years, UNBC has fostered a strong culture of giving through its workplace campaign with United Way BC, making it easy for faculty, staff, and even students to contribute. This workplace campaign, led by dedicated faculty members and staff, encourages participation through direct outreach and a shared commitment to community impact.
In the beginning of Dr. Holler’s time at UNBC, senior faculty played a key role in organizing the campaign, creating an environment where new staff felt inspired to get involved. “Emails went out, and I got a form stuffed in my mailbox, and the rest is history,” she recalls. “Since that time, I’ve been donating, but really, the whole time I’ve been at the university it’s been a privilege to be involved in the United Way campaign.”
Growing Leadership and Impact
As she advanced in her career, so did her involvement in the United Way campaign. “Probably about six or seven years ago, I stepped up and joined the campaign committee first, then became Campaign Coordinator, and that’s a role I’m still serving to this day.”
The role provides an opportunity to bring people together. “You may have heard that trying to organize academics is like herding cats, there’s a lot of truth to that,” she laughs. “My job is to get everybody on the same page, make sure all the boxes are ticked, and ensure the campaign messages get out.”
Under her leadership, UNBC’s campaign has thrived with various ways to engage such as the annual book sale. “We get people to donate good quality, used books, also video games, DVDs, whatever they’ve got,” Dr. Holler explains, “But we do insist that there be no textbooks because no one wants to buy a textbook.” The sale then operates on a pay-what-you-wish model, “Everybody knows it’s going to United Way BC, and we see some real generosity.”
Newer initiatives such as Wine Survivor, Spirit Survivor, Beer Survivor, and (new this year) Coffee Survivor serve as a fun way to engage. “These games are really fun because they raise money but also build camaraderie, which helps the workplace campaign flourish.”
Making a Real Difference
For Dr. Holler, donating was an easy decision. “When I started as an assistant professor with a young family, being the sole breadwinner, I knew I wanted to contribute. I didn’t necessarily have as much money or time as I wanted, so having donations come straight from my paycheck made it simple.”
Dr. Holler observes that the need in the community has significantly increased, particularly over the past five years. “When I’m out in the community, I always look to see who has been supported by United Way BC,” she says. She takes comfort in knowing that United Way BC has responded by implementing programs that address emerging needs, food security, and after-school care. “For me, that’s showing the impact that my donation makes.”
Impacting our Communities
For those considering donating, her advice is simple: “Do it, and you’ll never look back. You won’t even notice it when it comes off your paycheck. But after 22 years, if you add up those donations, you’ll feel good knowing you’ve made a significant contribution to your community.”
Through her leadership and dedication, Dr. Holler has fostered a culture of giving at UNBC: one that continues to inspire faculty, staff, and students to get involved, give back, and create lasting change in their community. United Way BC is able to provide programs in our local communities through the support of donors, like Dr. Holler and those inspired by her at UNBC.
Join Dr. Holler by making a difference in your community. Donate to United Way BC today and be United for people in need.