The turtle toddles back

University librarian Bill Maes hands the turtle back to Tom Boran, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. (Bruce Bottomley Photo)

Staff from the Faculty of Dentistry gathered last week to welcome back a familiar friend.

The United Way turtle trophy, decked out in winter gloves and toque on a cold December day, was reclaimed by Dentistry after a one-year residency with the Dalhousie Libraries. The turtle is awarded to the winner of the Dean’s Challenge, celebrating the faculty that raises the most money (weighed by faculty size and participation rates) for the Dalhousie United Way campaign. Dentistry previously won the challenge in 2008.

“This Dean’s Challenge was created to get people on-board with United Way, which is such an important cause,” said Dean Tom Boran, accepting the turtle—still unnamed, although Dentistry hopes to change that. “It’s really the work of the organizers and our faculty that worked together to support the campaign.”

Leading that charge was Heather Greenwood, dental technician. She’s been the Faculty of Dentistry’s area coordinator for the United Way campaign for longer than she can remember, and this is her last year at the helm; she’s retiring from Dalhousie next year. When asked why Dentistry has been so successful in raising funds for the United Way, she cites a commitment to community.

“We have a lot of long-term people here who have deep roots in Halifax and know the difference United Way makes,” she says. “It also gives us the chance to take part in something as part of the greater Dalhousie community.”

In total, Dentistry raised $8,107.58 for the campaign this year. “For a small faculty, I think we have pretty big hearts,” added Dean Boran.

But University Librarian Bill Maes says we shouldn’t be surprised if the turtle makes its way (slowly) back up University Avenue to the Killam when 2011 rolls around.

“He’ll be back next year,” he declared. “We just had to send him out for a teeth cleaning.”

Dalhousie faculty and staff weren’t the only ones doing their part for United Way this year. The Dalhousie Student Union donated the proceeds of their Grawood Halloween bash to the campaign.

There is still time to give and help the Dalhousie United Way campaign reach its goal. Donate now at the secure United Way donation website.