Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 11/02) - In an ordinary door-to-door fundraising campaign, the usual "give" is $20.

Through payroll deduction, the average "give" is about $150. That's the magic of taking small donations off every paycheque during the year, and what Yellowknife United Way organizers will pay off in big returns for city charities.

"Even if a person donated $1 per pay, it's more than $20 a year," said treasurer Lowell Ann Fulgsang.

She said payroll deduction is simple and painless.

"The employee completes a form. They keep a copy, one goes to payroll and one goes to the United Way."

A donation is deducted from each cheque by the employer, and forwarded to the United Way monthly.

"It's just a question of whatever accounting package an employer uses and adding this line."

Payroll donations are even listed on the T-4, eliminating the need for a charity receipt.

Already, the United Way has authority to run payroll deduction campaigns among federal, territorial and city staff. A brochure is going out to all Chamber of Commerce members inviting businesses to join the campaign.

As well, the United Way will be sending a brochure through the mail, asking people to tear off the form on the bottom and mail it back along with a donation.