West Virginia University has begun efforts to raise $305,000 for the United Way.

First lady Beth Clements is serving as chair of the 28th annual campaign, which will last eight weeks. The theme of this year’s effort is “LIVE UNITED.”

“At West Virginia University service is a huge part of our mission, and ‘Live United’ – the United Way campaign for Monongalia and Preston counties – is one more way the WVU family can support those in need,” Clements said. “Our faculty, staff, students and retirees have been so supportive of this campaign in the past, and I am confident we will do our part to keep reaching out to people facing life’s difficult challenges again this year.”

The 2010 campaign, which runs through Nov. 5, 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 is committed to helping the people of our community, and this campaign is evidence of that,” said Brett White, campaign coordinator. “Each year, we are thoroughly impressed with the overwhelming generosity of our faculty, staff and students.”

For the third year, the campaign is also rallying student support.

The Student Government Association is 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.

“We’re hoping to get students more engaged in the campaign this year,” said Jamie Chapman, executive director of student organizations for the Student Government Association. “We have pledged $40,000 this year in conjunction with Greek and student organizations efforts. I have no doubt that the students will make a significant contribution to the campaign.”

More than 500 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. 14 game against South Florida. The entire list of sale sites is on the website at http://unitedway.wvu.edu.

People can track the campaign’s progress on an 8-foot fundraising thermometer that will be on display in the Mountainlair.

About 200 WVU employees are serving as team captains. Individual contributors and donors can contact their captain to find out more information or to receive materials.

Donors can visit the WVU United Way Campaign interactive website (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.

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cd/09/14/10

CONTACT: Brett White, United Way Campaign Coordinator
304-293-8761, brett.white@mail.wvu.edu