West Virginia University tipped off its 2008 United Way campaign Monday (Sept. 15) with mens basketball coach Bob Huggins rallying some 150 WVU employees and students for the cause.

Huggins is chairing the seven-week campaign, which kicked off with a luncheon and training session for department coordinators at the Touchdown Terrace at Milan Puskar Stadium.

WVU Lead the Wayis the theme of the effort that hopes to raise $240,000.

I want to see many new members on our team,Huggins said.If you have been part of the effort in the past, please consider increasing your support. If you are new to the efforts, I encourage you to join the campaign for a brighter tomorrow. We need you to make this year a success. Each gift, large or small, is important.

Huggins was joined by interim WVU President C. Peter Magrath, who thanked volunteers.

The 2008 WVU campaign, which runs through Oct. 31, is part of the West Virginia State Employees Combined Campaign. Each employee will receive campaign information and a pledge form from a department coordinator.

The WVU campaign mainly benefits the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties, but employees may also choose to designate a gift for a number of unaffiliated agencies, United Ways of West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania, and statewide-eligible organizations.

The agencies supported by the United Way make our communities better places to live by helping our neighbors who cannot help themselves, said Kimberly Colebank, director of WVU s Center for Civic Engagement, which is organizing the campaign.

Their staffs and volunteersmany of whom are WVU students and employeeswork to tackle issues associated with domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, illness and illiteracy,she said.

Last year, WVU s faculty, staff, students and retirees made the University Monongalia Countys largest United Way contributor.

At West Virginia University, we contribute to the lives of others in many waysservice is part of our identity,said Huggins, who is confident the University community will reach its goal.I believe it is important to continue that tradition, and I hope you will join me as we continue to support the good work of our United Way.

That Mountaineer tradition includes a new student component this year.

Students have a generous spirit and want to give back to the community that gives so much to us,said Jason Parsons, Student Government Association president.Were excited about being involved in the United Way campaign and doing our part to meet the fundraising goal. This is just another example of student government this year being committed to doing things that have never been done before and truly engaging students in the community.

The student campaign will involve a fundraising competition among the residence hallsalong with Homecoming and Greek Week activities benefiting the United Way.

Student campaign chair Jason Zuccari urged each student organization to participate.

Were very excited to have student organizations, fraternities and sororities, and students from every walk of life come together to support the United Way,Zuccari said.I think we can truly set the bar for students to give in the years to come.

An 8-foot fundraising thermometerunveiled during Mondays kick-off celebrationwill be moved to the Mountainlair, where people can track the campaigns progress.

About 200 WVU employees are serving as department coordinators. Huggins encouraged people to visit the Universitys United Way Web site ( http://unitedway.wvu.edu/ ), where they can find a list of coordinators, as well as a video, downloadable pledge card, agency information and details about the WVU prize program and student campaign.

For more information, contact campaign coordinator Brett White at 304-293-8761 or ” brett.white@mail.wvu.edu rel=nofollow> brett.white@mail.wvu.edu .