West Virginia University has raised $301,425 through the 34th annual United Way Campaign, which wrapped up Nov. 11.
“United Way is working to change the story through quality education, stable income and better health for everyone,” said WVU Dean of Students and United Way campaign chair Corey Farris. “I’m so thankful to every individual, department and student that helped make our campaign a tremendous success.”
Since 2007, the University has given the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties more than $3 million. WVU has raised more than $250,000 each year for the campaign.
Various administrators, staff members and students celebrated the campaign’s achievements Dec. 1 at the Erickson Alumni Center. At that event, a check was presented to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties. This year’s campaign theme was “Change the Story.”
WVU students helped raise more than $31,000 for the campaign through the Gold Rush T-shirt sale and the Blue and Gold Mine Sale. More than 4,250 limited edition t-shirts were sold for the football game against Missouri.
More than 725 University employees and retirees donated to the United Way campaign.
Through the help of 140 volunteer team captains, WVU had a record number of fundraisers throughout campus. For example, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences held a Pokemon GO Walk in the spring and Health Sciences volunteers raised more than $1,000 with basket raffles and events.
Dana Musick, from the College of Education and Human Services, received the United Mountaineer Award, which recognizes a WVU community member who goes above and beyond in service to the campaign. The College of Business and Economics received the Outstanding Unit/Department Award for their hard work and the Administration/Finance received the Outstanding Fundraiser Award.
“West Virginia University’s commitment to our community is unwavering,” said Brett White, United Way Director of Development and Marketing. “This campaign’s continued achievement is a testament to the generosity of our faculty, staff and students.”
All contributions for WVU’s United Way campaign stay local, as the money raised helps support 52 unique programs at 27 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 $1.55 million. WVU gathered nearly one-fifth of the funds by exceeding the $300,000 goal.
WVU is one of the largest contributors to the United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.
“At West Virginia University, we understand the importance of living united,” Farris added. “This campaign’s success exemplifies that.”