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Jackie Reynolds

Small amounts can make a big difference

BY John sandbrook
UCLA Today

Jackie Reynolds’ first child was just 3 months old when she enrolled him in UCLA Child Care Services and went off to work on campus. Around that time, Reynolds received a letter from the UCLA/United Way of Greater Los Angeles Campaign, appealing for contributions of as little as $5 a month to help improve the local community in several key areas, including, fortuitously, child care. Reynolds immediately signed up.

That was 20 years ago, and Reynolds, manager of campus services at Administrative Information Services, continues to fund United Way’s child-care efforts. Her $5 monthly donation, made through payroll deduction, is modest. But “if everyone on campus gave that much,” she said, “it would add up to some serious figure.”

Etta Moore-Bray

Like Reynolds, Etta Moore-Bray, operations coordinator in the Office of the Dean at the School of Public Affairs, is also a regular contributor to the UCLA United Way campaign. She donates a small amount that, she said, “helps people who can’t help themselves.”

United Way has served more than 716,100 Los Angeles residents facing medical emergencies or other crises. It has also helped improve literacy in more than 854,300 people and enabled nearly 25,000 adults to move from poverty toward self-sufficiency.

Contributors can make a general donation to United Way’s “Bridging the Gap” Fund, devoted to learning, empowering and caring, or they can invest directly in any of those three areas, as Reynolds did. Alternatively, donors can designate a gift to any of about 200 United Way partner agencies. Donations may be made as a one-time contribution or through payroll deduction.

Last year’s campaign raised $246,673, and campus organizers hope this year’s effort will be even better. The campaign occurs April 18-29, and contribution forms, in a UCLA/United Way packet, will reach employees next week via campus mail.