West Virginia University will kick off its 2009 United Way campaign Monday (Sept. 14) with Director of Athletics Ed Pastilong serving as chair.
The 27th annual campaign will last for eight weeks with the goal of raising $300,000. The theme of this year’s effort is “LIVE UNITED.”
A public kick-off event will be held on Monday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Mountainlair Plaza. Local artist 6’6’240 will be performing his Mountaineer ballad “The Gold N Blue” at noon. Free hot dogs and drinks will be provided.
Student Government Association members and Center for Civic Engagement staff will host numerous activities and games around the plaza.
Pastilong will be on hand to greet those in attendance and raise awareness about the campaign. Gold Rush T-shirts will be sold at the event and volunteers will be collecting donations to benefit the campaign.
“At West Virginia University, we understand the importance of living united, service is part of our identity and this United Way campaign is an integral part of that service,” said Pastilong. “The agencies of the United Way are all doing amazing things for the people of their communities every day. I ask you to join me in supporting them.”
The 2009 campaign, which runs through Nov. 6, is part of the West Virginia State Employees Combined Campaign. Each employee will receive campaign information and a pledge card 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.
“WVU has a deep commitment to our local community and this campaign is proof of that,” said Brett White, campaign coordinator. “The overwhelming generosity of our faculty, staff, and students is amazing. As in years past, WVU is answering the United Way’s call and helping to build a stronger community.”
For the second year, the campaign is also rallying student support.
SGA will be asking all student organizations to get involved in campaign efforts and to consider making a donation. In addition, all proceeds from annual Homecoming and Greek Week activities will benefit the United Way.
“It’s a great cause and is a way for us as students to give back to our community,” said Jason Zucarri, student body president.
Over 1,000 Gold Rush T-shirts have already been sold across campus and Morgantown in support of the campaign. SGA will continue to sell Gold Rush T-shirts until the Oct. 1 game against Colorado. The entire list of sale sites is on the Web site at http://unitedway.wvu.edu.
Two 8-foot fundraising thermometers will be on display in the Mountainlair and at the Engineering Sciences Building on Evansdale campus, where people can track the campaign’s progress.
About 200 WVU employees are serving as department coordinators. Individual contributors and donors can contact their coordinator to find out more information or to receive materials.
Donors can visit the WVU United Way Campaign interactive Web site (http://unitedway.wvu.edu) to find out information about the United Way and local agencies. Contributors can also download extra pledge cards and find more information about Gold Rush and other activities.
For more information, contact campaign coordinator Brett White at 304-293-8761 or brett.white@mail.wvu.edu.
-WVU-
09/11/09
CONTACT: Brett White, United Way Campaign Coordinator
304-282-4717, brett.white@mail.wvu.edu