The West Virginia University community raised more than $265,000 through its annual United Way 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.
“I’m proud of our campaign and the continued commitment from West Virginia University to the surrounding communities. It was a great experience to serve as this year’s chair and thanks to the hard work of many, we had another exciting year of giving,” said WVU baseball coach and United Way campaign chair Randy Mazey.
The University celebrated the campaign’s achievements on Wednesday (Dec. 4) at Touchdown Terrace in Milan Puskar Stadium.
In total, 850 University employees and retirees donated to the United Way campaign.
Through the help of 120 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 $1,000 with a basket raffle.
“Once again, the WVU community came together to show our dedication to helping those around us. This year, we enjoyed seeing all the creative fundraisers and events that took place in hallways and offices across campus,” said Kristi Wood-Turner, director of the Center for Service and Learning. “We are lucky to have so many dedicated volunteers, and we are especially proud of our baseball team and this year’s campaign chair Randy Mazey for their commitment and support. I am thankful for each person who supported our efforts providing One United Way to Give.”
WVU students helped raise more than $10,000 for the campaign through efforts like the sixth-annual Gold Rush T-shirt sale for the Mountaineers’ football game vs. Oklahoma State.
Pledge forms are still being accepted. You can drop off or mail them to the Center for Service and Learning at 359 Stansbury Hall, PO Box 6412. Forms can be downloaded at http://unitedway.wvu.edu/pledge_card.
WVU’s United Way campaign began in 1982 and has been conducted each year since. This year’s theme was “One United Way to Give.”
All contributions for WVU’s United Way campaign stay local, as the money raised helps support 52 unique programs in 30 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.
