OXFORD, Miss. – Although the 2009 University of Mississippi United Way
campaign officially ends Friday (Dec. 4), year-end donations are
welcome.
UM
faculty, staff and students set a campus goal of $130,000 for United Way
of Lafayette-Oxford-University. A breakfast from 7 to 9:30 a.m. Friday in
the Ole Miss Student Union marks the campaign’s completion. Donations are
$5 per person, with all proceeds going to the campaign.
A silent
auction will be conducted at the breakfast for two items, said Lucile
McCook, co-chair of the United Way campus committee. The items are a
signed copy of “The University of Mississippi: A Pictorial
History” by Gerald Walton and a handmade quilt by Jean Shaw.
To date,
about $110,000 had been received. Last year, the UM community raised
$124,000.
“We’re always trying to increase the number of Leadership Givers
($500 or more) at the university,” McCook said. “When the final
results are in, we hope to be very near our goal.”
McCook
said that while faculty-staff payroll deductions constitute the majority
of the funds received in the campaign, proceeds from student-sponsored
events have been significant this year.
“Student groups did hot dog sales at several dormitories to raise
funds for the United Way, and did roadblocks in days before the football
game against LSU,” McCook said. “We hope that their effort will
continue year after year.”
More than
99 percent of the money raised remains in the area to help with community
needs.
“The
money raised here in Oxford stays here in Oxford,” said Kathy
Sukanek, United Way’s local executive director. “The campaign helps
support several different local organizations.”
UM
employees can contribute to United Way by making a one-time donation or
pledging through payroll deduction.
“The
success of the campaign depends on us,” said Thelma Curry, co-chair
of the campus committee. “The agencies supported by the United Way
are a big part of the stability and well-being of the local
community.”
Organizations receiving funds from the campaign include Leap Frog, Family
Crisis Services, American Red Cross, Interfaith Compassion Ministry,
Pantry, Salvation Army, Exchange Club Family Center, Literacy Council,
North Mississippi Kidney Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Boys & Girls
Club, Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Health Services in Action,
Very Special Arts and Lafayette County 4-H.
For more
information about United Way, contact Sukanek at 662-236-6971 or visit
http://unitedway.oxfordms.com.