Fox Cities Viewpoint, May 8, 2003
As a sociologist I am well aware of the complex systems of interdependence
that make up the social fabric of our community. When my neighbor down the
street loses her job, my whole neighborhood is affected. During this period
of economic downturn, needs are increasing at the same time that public resources
for meeting those needs are diminishing.
At such times, the generosity of individuals and private organizations becomes
more crucial than ever. Our community has already given unselfishly of its
time, talent and money. Here are some examples from our own UW Oshkosh campus.
A group of students performed a play to raise seven thousand dollars for the Christine Ann Center. Students, faculty and staff raised twenty-five thousand dollars for Big Brothers and Big Sisters through the Bowl for Kids’ Sake project. Twenty-seven people from our campus gave a part of themselves—literally—by donating their hair to make wigs for sick children as part of the Locks of Love program.
On an average, our students raise one hundred thousand dollars a year for local charities and donate the equivalent of well over one million dollars through volunteer work.
Our community has done a lot. With so many of our neighbors in need, we still need to do more.
I'm Chancellor Richard Wells of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, and this is my Fox Cities Viewpoint.