The West Virginia University community has raised more than $290,300 through the 32nd annual United Way campaign, which wrapped up Nov. 7.

Since 2007, the University has given the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties nearly $2.5 million. WVU has raised more than $250,000 each year for the campaign.

“This is further proof that West Virginia University does, in fact, belong to all 1.8 million West Virginia residents. It is our duty to empower them with opportunity and to enhance their daily lives,” said WVU President and United Way honorary campaign chairman Gordon Gee. “This successful campaign brings us a step closer to achieving those goals in our community.”

The University celebrated the campaign’s achievements Nov. 19 at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center. At that event, a check was presented to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. This year’s theme was “WVU & United Way: We’re in this together.”

WVU students helped raise more than $28,000 for the campaign through the Gold Rush T-shirt sale and the Blue and Gold Mine Sale.

More than 940 University employees and retirees donated to the United Way campaign.

Through the help of 175 volunteers, WVU had a record number of fundraisers throughout campus this year hosted by different departments. For example, Administration and Finance hosted five fundraisers, and Health Sciences volunteers raised over $1,200 with a basket raffle.

“We are fortunate to have such giving faculty, staff and students at West Virginia University,” said Brett White, United Way Director of Development and Marketing. “This money will go right to work making positive change in Monongalia and Preston Counties.”

All contributions for WVU’s United Way campaign stay local, as the money raised helps support 49 unique programs in 29 partnering agencies. The staffs and volunteers of those agencies work tirelessly to address issues associated with lower incomes, illness, illiteracy, domestic violence, homelessness and affordable childcare in Monongalia and Preston Counties. The agencies, however, do not have the resources to carry out elaborate fundraising campaigns of their own and rely heavily on additional funding.

The entire campaign’s goal in Monongalia and Preston counties is more than $1.5 million. WVU gathered about one-fifth of the funds by exceeding the $285,000 goal.

WVU is one of the largest contributors to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston counties. Last year, WVU raised $270,000 for the campaign.

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

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

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