Second Week of U of A's United Way Campaign Winding Up

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – U of A United Way volunteers are collecting donation cards from faculty and staff members across campus, preparing to tally up a new total and gauge the progress of the campaign.

“We had an outstanding amount of participation in our first week,” said campaign co-chair Kim Needy. “We just hope the momentum keeps up, because we are still a long way from reaching our goal.”

Faculty and staff members donated $39,883 in the first seven days of the campaign, which has a final goal of $170,000. The active campaign started on Sept. 30 and closes on Oct. 31.

The funds will go to the United Way of Northwest Arkansas to support programs for the more than 27,000 children in our area who live in poverty.

“Our campaign theme, and our goal, is to Paint Their Future Bright – Child by Child,” said campaign co-chair Stacy Leeds. “There are many ways that faculty and staff can participate in this campaign and contribute to this cause – through a donation, by organizing a fund raising event, by volunteering with the United Way, or by using their skills and energy to contribute to the community in other ways. The important thing is to be a part of making a better future for our children.”

The donation cards list all these ways of contributing, including online donations and payroll deduction.

“We want to remind everyone who made payroll deductions in the past, that they have to be renewed, either online or with their donation card,” said Jacque Linebarger, the campaign coordinator. “And of course however you contribute, we ask you to turn in your cards so we can track campus participation – and make you eligible for a $100 gift card.”

A second gift card drawing will be held on Friday.