In 1984, UAB President S. Richardson Hill Jr., left, signed the first pledge card for the UAB Faculty and Staff Benevolent Fund Council, a new 32-member group to oversee UAB’s charitable giving campaign. In July of that year, Virginia Gauld, Ph.D., right, was selected as the Benevolent Fund’s first president.
Thirty-seven years later, the Benevolent Fund continues to raise funds for Blazers and community organizations in need; the 2021 spring campaign, open through March 15, aims to raise $2 million. More than $1.65 million already has been raised through continuous gifts, which enable the fund to count dollars toward new campaign goals without employees needing to renew their pledge. Undesignated contributions, meaning those not directed to a specific community partner, permit the group’s flexibility in operating the Employee Emergency Assistance Program, providing grants for nonprofits and conducting other projects.
Lisa Higginbotham, Benevolent Fund manager, encourages Blazers to contribute one hour of pay or 1% of their income per month but welcomes gifts of any amount. Those interested can set up a gift via payroll deduction by logging into the Benevolent Fund Pledge site using your BlazerID and password and entering a pledge amount and any nonprofit designations.
During the 1996 Olympic Games, Legion Field was a host site for soccer games, which more than 431,000 people attended. UAB also was home to a practice site for Olympians.
