West Virginia University kicks off its 2014 United Way campaign today with a goal of $285,000.

President Gee will serve as the honorary chair of the 32nd annual campaign. This year’s theme is “WVU & United Way: We’re in this together.” The campaign, which lasts eight weeks, will wrap up on Nov. 7.

“I look forward to serving as West Virginia University’s 2014 United Way honorary campaign chair. It is an important event that showcases our University’s deep commitment to our local community,” Gee said.

Employees will be able to pledge via paper forms available in each unit. You can also attend various fundraisers across campus throughout the campaign.

All contributions for WVU’s United Way campaign stay local, as the money is donated to 29 different organizations in Monongalia and Preston counties that assist people with healthcare, childcare, youth mentoring, senior programs, mental health programs, disaster response initiatives and healthy lifestyle initiatives, among others. These agencies, however, do not have the resources for large fundraising campaigns and rely on WVU’s United Way campaign each year for additional funding.

Employees interested in making a contribution should complete the pledge form and return them to their unit team captain or call 304-296-7525 or email unitedway@mail.wvu.edu. For more information, log onto http://unitedway.wvu.edu/.

The entire campaign’s goal In Monongalia and Preston counties is more than $1.5 million. WVU would like to gather about one-fifth of the funds with the $285,000 goal.

“It isn’t hard to see how much this campaign impacts our local community. The agencies and programs supported by United Way are changing lives every single day,” said Brett White, United Way Director of Development and Marketing.

“When our community needs support, WVU has always stepped up to meet the challenge. I’m confident they will do that again this year.”

WVU’s donations help provide:
• 49 programs at 29 health and human service agencies
• 14,967 nights of shelter for homeless individuals
• 1,574 dental procedures for uninsured individuals
• 2,864 hours of one-on-one mentoring for children
• 32,992 weekend food packs for children in our community

To help raise money for the United Way campaign, students are selling “Gold Rush” T-shirts for the annual “Gold Rush” football game, which will be Oct. 4 against Kansas. T-shirts, which are $10 each, are available through Oct. 1 at various locations around campus. For more information on the T-shirts, visit http://unitedway.wvu.edu/goldrush.

The Student Government Association is asking student organizations to make donations.

“We encourage students to continue to show their commitment to the community of Morgantown, along with Monongalia and Preston counties,” said SGA President and Student United Way campaign chair Chris Nyden. “We made a big difference the past few years through our efforts, and we hope to eclipse our fundraising totals of those years in 2014. We will be circulating pledge forms, along with forms to buy Gold Rush T-shirts to student organizations.”

Employees are also encouraged to do their part. Employees who contribute $72 or more are eligible to win two tickets to a performing arts series performance. Those who donate $120 or more are eligible to win a yearly parking permit or men’s basketball tickets. Those who donate $240 or more are eligible to win a single, year-long membership to the WVU Recreation Center. First-time givers who give at least $72 can win a gift certificate to dinner for two.

Last year, WVU raised $270,000 for the campaign. Since 2007, the University has given the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties nearly $1.8 million. WVU has raised more than $250,000 each year for the campaign.

WVU is one of the largest contributors to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties with more than 1,400 contributors annually.

“In my first year on campus, I have seen the passion and pride our community has, and this year’s United Way campaign is another tremendous opportunity to give back,” Gee said.

WVU’s United Way campaign began in 1982, White said, and has been conducted each year since.

“The 31-year history of this campaign is a testament to the generosity of our employees and students,” White said.

-WVU-

cn/09/15/14

CONTACT: Brett White, WVU United Way Campaign
304.296.7525, Brett.White@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.