FoundationFebruary 27, 2025

The Friends of the University Employee Emergency Assistance Program

Things happen. Pipes burst, refrigerators conk out, kids need expensive medications, and the car you depend on to get you to work turns out not to be so dependable.

Because things happen, the UAFS Foundation has some money put away for a rainy day.

The Friends of the University Employee Emergency Assistance Program exists so that university employees who need help can ask for it.

Liz Blair, assistant director of data management for UAFS advancement, said the Employee Emergency Fund can provide up to $1,000 in aid for all kinds of emergencies.

“There are all kinds of situations, sick children, plumbing, even unexpected moving expenses.

Once, we helped with travel costs when there was a death in the family. People have emergencies, and we want to help them get through,” Blair said.

Emergencies are circumstances beyond an employee’s control. The foundation awarded nearly 20 full—or part-time employees during the previous fiscal year. The average amount of help is around $700, and employees are limited to $1,000 annually.

The university covers the added income tax on the award.

“We want this to be a pure good and not something they would have to pay on,” Blair said.

The Employee Emergency Program is funded through gifts to the UAFS Foundation, and gifts can be designated to this fund.

The fund is making a difference. Blair shared the “thank you” notes of some beneficiaries.

• This gift has brought me so much peace and relief.
• Thank you all so much. I am truly grateful for this special gift.
• Thank you so much. My wife and I greatly appreciate this.

Blair likes the last comment because it shows the value the university places on the employee and the whole family.

One grateful recipient wrote: “The words ‘thank you’ do not show enough gratitude for what you have done for me during this hardship. I am blessed to be a UAFS Lion and to have such a caring institution as ours. Please pass along my expression of pure gratitude to anyone who has helped during this process. You have helped alleviate some stressors.”

Another telling comment: “This is a Godsend and so unexpected.”

That particular gift was unexpected because of its timing. In the weeks before Christmas, the foundation was “slammed” with requests for aid. There were so many that there wasn’t enough money in the fund to fulfill all requests. Only seven of nine requests were able to be funded. Blair said she let the other employees know they would be at the front of the line when funding was again available.

Sure enough, when there was money in the account again, within a short while, she funded the last two requests, a response at least one of the recipients found unexpected.

If there were one thing Blair would like to tell people about the Employee Assistance Program, it is that “your money is never wasted. If you value the university and you know how hard our employees work, it is really good to see that their welfare is supported by people all over campus.”

When she is talking to people facing emergencies, Blair said she makes a point of reminding them that the Dave Stevens Lion Pride Pantry is available to employees and students.

The two opportunities show “that we really support our employees. We want the best for them so they aren’t hindered in a crisis. We know our coworkers care for us.”

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