West Virginia University has netted more than $230,000 for the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties this yearand the dollars are still dribbling in as the 2005 fundraising campaign continues to push past its original $225,000 goal.

I am so impressed and so moved by the generosity of the University community that all I can say is, �€~Thank you, thank you, thank you,said Mountaineer mens basketball coach John Beilein, who chaired WVU s 2005 campaign with his wife, Kathleen.

Our faculty, staff and students have once again shown that they care about their community,Beilein said.I mean, you talk about a team. And it came on the heels of the Katrina relief effort, too.

To date, $230,156 has been raised for the campaign that carried the theme,Its What We Doat WVU .

The United Way organization serves 26 agencies in its two-county region, and monies raised stay here in Mountaineer country, the coach said.

There are so many good uses for our dollars nationally,Beilein said,but supporting local agencies is still critically important for those who need their services right here at home. Its great to know we are helping out and can proudly say, �€~Its What We Doat WVU .

The local United Way hopes to raise $1.3 million for its member agencies, according to Tim Saab, chairman of the two-county campaign.