Eddie Melton jumped into the 2023 UW Combined Fund Drive (CFD) campaign with enthusiasm and ease. You would never know it was their first time as a coordinator—a volunteer role to promote the UW CFD in the Department of Chemistry. Eddie created opportunities for both employees and students to become involved in the campaign, sent engaging emails, and created fun flyers to post around the department.
Eddie had specific events they wanted to put on during the campaign season and they executed these events with skill and grace. They worked well with their co-coordinator and their communication with their campaign assistant was also frequent and incredibly delightful.
For their efforts, the UW Combined Fund Drive recognized Eddie as Rookie of the Year at the March 20, 2024, Snohomish + King County Combined Fund Drive Volunteer Recognition event. Recognition as Rookie of the Year is bestowed upon new UW Combined Fund Drive (CFD) coordinators who have gone the extra mile during the Combined Fund Drive campaign.
“Eddie is undoubtedly deserving of this recognition. Eddie is an enthusiastic advocate for the Combined Fund Drive and went all in. Because of their efforts, the Department of chemistry’s participation increased to 25%, which is about double the UW’s overall participation rate,” observed Diana Knight, who in name was Eddie’s co-coordinator, but in practice enjoyed following Eddie’s lead.
Congratulations, Eddie, we can’t wait to see what next year brings!
The UW Combined Fund Drive (CFD) is a workplace giving program for employees of the University of Washington to support their favorite causes through payroll deduction. In 2023, UW employees gave nearly $2 million to nonprofits working in our community and around the globe.